...He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again (2 Corinthians
5:15).
There’s no better time to reflect on the vicarious
sacrifice of Christ, than Christmas time. In the midst of all the celebrations
and joyful preparations, take some time to think of the purpose of His birth,
life, death, and resurrection. He’s given us such an extraordinary life of
glory and righteousness, not just so we could enjoy it and keep it to
ourselves, but so we could bring others into this life, even when it isn’t
convenient to do so. You have to stick out your neck for the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
The Apostle Paul was persecuted more than the other
apostles, because of His convictions about the Gospel. When he went to
Jerusalem to visit, the other apostles called him aside and told him how so
many Jews had become believers, and how devoted they all were to the Law. Paul
must have wondered why they should be full of zeal for the Law when Christ
already abolished the Law through His death, burial, and resurrection
(Ephesians 2:15). The other apostle didn’t want to "provoke the
Jews," as it were, so they told Paul to act in accordance with the Law.
Somebody recognized Paul, screamed and
said, "...Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men
every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further
brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place"
(Acts 21:28). The crowd seized Paul and would have killed him because of his
message, but for the intervention of the soldiers (read the entire reference in
Acts 21:18- 32).
Be bold to preach Christ, even when you’re
persecuted for so doing. As we strategize and try to convert people into the
Kingdom, we must not lose our confidence in Christ.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the
special privilege granted me to be a custodian of the Gospel of Christ, and
declare it boldly in every place, at all times, in spite of oppositions,
thereby liberating those in satanic bondage into the glorious liberty of the sons
of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study: 1 Timothy 1:11;
Mark 16:15
1 Year Bible Reading Plan : 1 John 3:11-24 Ezekiel
47-48
2 Year Bible Reading Plan : Revelation 6:1-10 Joel
2
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