John 16:1 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.”

Jesus didn’t pull any punches. His next remarks after this are downright scary. This is an area in which the Church in some countries really drops the ball, I think. People expect being a Christian to be “your best life now,” all sweetness and light, and so, as in Jesus’ parable of the seed and the soil, the minute difficulties come, they drop away. We aren’t called to get people to say the right words, we are called to make them true disciples of Jesus Christ, and sometimes that can invite martyrdom. In countries like the US, that’s not likely to be physical, but it can interfere with social interactions and job promotions at times. As Paul said, people can’t understand why we don’t participate with them in their debauchery. (Galatians 5:19) We need to understand that we don’t just “accept Jesus as our Savior,” we acknowledge Him as Lord, and that simple fact changes our universe. When we are in His camp, we can expect to be treated as He was. That includes respect and love from some quarters, but hatred and persecution from others. We aren’t to be surprised at that, but like the early apostles, rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer disgrace for His name. (Acts 5:41)

I once baptized a man who never showed his face in our church again after that. I feel sure he thought his baptism would solve all his problems, and when it didn’t, he split. I also had someone complain that I preached too much about commitment, and not enough about “the Gospel.” I wonder what his definition of the Gospel was? I don’t feel like I have suffered particularly for my faith, but I am definitely uncompromising about my priorities, and sometime even people close to me seem irritated by that. I am not to put them down, but continue speaking the truth in love, both verbally and in action. Eternal life in Jesus Christ is certainly worth far more than anything the world can offer, or throw at me, for that matter.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your incredible grace toward me. May I be an effective conduit of that grace toward all with whom I interact, whether they treat me well or not, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!