Matthew 10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

This whole chapter seems very real and immediate to believers in Islamic countries, but believers in America pretend it doesn’t exist. We tend to make our lives popularity contests, and hesitate to say or do anything that might “hurt our ranking.” That’s no way to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ! Those who have never experienced active persecution often draw back because of simple inconvenience, which shows all too clearly what their priorities are. This calls to mind the parable of the sower and the seed. (Matthew 13:1-23) Those who draw back after having made an initial commitment fit either into the category of those with shallow roots, or those who allow the concerns of this world choke them into unfruitfulness. It is those who refuse to let go of their commitment to Jesus, enduring to the end, as this verse puts it, who bear the fruit that God desires in their lives. Their reward in heaven is abundant and sure!

I have experienced little if any persecution, and I have indeed let things of this world get in the way of my commitment at times. Like everyone else, I like to be liked, but thankfully, my times of compromise for that particular reason haven’t been so many. Simple distractions have been more of a trap for me. Having written that, I am forced to realize that I have indeed drawn back from proclaiming the Gospel countless times for fear of offending, of making someone not like me. I have no high ground to stand on here! I need to be willing to risk people hating me, for the sake of taking at least some of them with me to heaven. I, too, am subject to the “popularity contest syndrome.” I am not to offend needlessly, but I must not let the fear of offending make me draw back from presenting the Gospel in love.

Father, thank You for opening my eyes to my own weakness in this area. Help me love You and love people enough to risk making them hate me, in order to bring as many as possible to salvation. I don’t want to be stupid and I don’t want to be needlessly offensive, but I do want to bring people into Your kingdom! Help me be willing, not just to be a fool for You, but to be hated for your sake, so that the barriers that keep people from entering into Your life may be torn down, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!