Daily Encouragement Net

  “Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

                                                                                                          

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

 

"Stand Firm"

 

"All men will hate you because of me" (Luke 21:17).

 

Last night in our local paper there was a letter to the editor expressing virile hatred, disdain and mocking for followers of Christ. I recently read a commentary that there is growing hatred for followers of Christ all across America and probably around the world. A recent example is that of a group who made a nuisance of themselves in front of the Focus on the Family ministry in Colorado in protest of the ministry's stand on certain issues.

 

Growing up in the Midwest in the sixties I assumed that practically everyone in America was some type of Christian.  In the small town of Belton, Missouri some 20 miles south of Kansas City there was a variety of churches that had their differences in beliefs and practices, which I really didn't understand.  I recall though that it seemed most everyone was affiliated with some type of church, although undoubtedly they weren't all committed to Jesus Christ. 

 

What a tremendous change has taken place in my adult years. Through most of my life as a follower of Christ, although I have not necessarily been appreciated or accepted, I do not feel that I have been hated. However this is changing and I am aware that as I seek to stand faithful to God and His Word I will increasingly be hated as I, in various ways, confront culture. That's true for all of us. In fact I have periodically gotten this through this online ministry.

 

The daily text is a statement made by Jesus in each of the synoptic gospels.  It's probably not a verse too many of us have made an effort to memorize! He spoke it to His disciples before they embarked on a preaching tour during His ministry (Matthew 10:22) and again in one of His final teachings preparing them for their ministry after He ascended to heaven (Mark 13:13 and Luke 21:17). 

 

The early church age bears witness to this hatred with great persecutions for the early followers of Christ.  We see this in the history of the early church recorded in the New Testament as well as post-apostolic church history.  As I study not only church history through the last 2000 years, but the work of the church in many other places around the world, I realize that there are now and have always been many followers of Christ who've experienced this hatred.  In fact if I consider the big picture I realize in many ways my life has been an exception to the norm. Based upon the various countries where this encouragement goes I'm aware that many of our readers are hated by the dominant society they live in simply for standing up for Christ. I particularly consider our brothers and sisters living in lands where Islam dominates.

 

Here's the word of encouragement (exhortation) for today.  Jesus concludes the statement made in the daily verse in Mark's gospel with this promise, "but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."  Let us today determine again that we will stand firm till the end!

 

 

Be encouraged today,

 

 

Stephen C. Weber

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

 

Personal Mission Statement: “I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity.”

 

© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

 

"Living today anchored in God’s solid foundation"