STANDING UP FOR JESUS

“For God has not given me a Spirit of fear, but of power
of love and of self-discipline.” 1 Timothy 1:7

It is time to stand up for Jesus. Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives and his disciples came to him privately saying: “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of the coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3) It is not unusual to ask ourselves, as believers the same question the disciples asked Jesus when we are seeing these signs happening in our times. We would be blind not to admit that truly what is in the Holy Scriptures is coming to pass. We know these things are to happen as signs of Jesus’ return. But like Noah, are we getting ready? When looking closely at this story in Genesis 6:5 that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and much of evil imagination of thoughts was on his mind, does that present a picture of our times? But God sent his servant Noah to warn the people to repent, but they did not listen to him. Instead they mocked him. There are many servants of God preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ today with the same message Noah brought to his generation. The same is preached in our churches, but few are coming to the calling. Why? Because the hearts of many have been harden by what they see around them instead of placing their hope on the only one that gives life everlasting- Jesus Christ. Here are some examples of when we allow our feelings to dictate our actions:

When the apostle Paul was on a ship headed towards Italy, he looked at the dangerous surroundings caused by the winds and waves. He warned to the men that the voyage was going to be disastrous to the ship and their lives. His discernment was not entirely correct. What was going to happen and what actually happen were two different things. (Acts 27:10 & 24) Sometimes our feelings get in the way of facts and of what God is trying to tell us. In Paul’s case, what he saw clouded his judgment. One reason people feel “disappointed in God” is because they rely on their feelings to dictate their actions. Sometimes, fear becomes a factor in not allowing us to seek God’s will. In Paul’s case, he saw the dangers involved and allowed it to lose perspective on God’s promise. Today, we see signs around us that clearly are biblically described as end times. Our stand should not be one of fear or of vagueness to accept His word. We should harness onto our Faith and hope in Jesus Christ who is the only salvation. God’s Word is always true; God always keeps His promises.

Just recently a young boy named Damare was crucified to a chair. His knees and feet were nailed down just because he attended a church service. But when asked how he felt about his abusers, he simply said that he forgave them, because Jesus forgave us.

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by hour and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Corinthians 6: 4-10) KJV

Jesus is telling us today like he did his disciples, to follow him. Our journey is not one of riches or pleasures on earth, but rather one of sacrifice, and carrying a cross no matter how painful it becomes. Our reward is one that is eternal. Let us stand boldly like Damare, for what we belief is the Truth.