As disciples of Jesus, help us to never hide or run away – Make that vital decision!
We do not race to come first, but to finish faithfully, is that true for you?
Why would anyone want to become a Christian during these first three centuries? The persecution was fierce and universal. Yes, it has been that way since the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ, and we need to be informed of how rapidly it is spreading today.
The book of Acts tells us how serious and fierce the opposition has been since men and women were born again.
It was a difficult time then to be a Christian, for the world to know that a man or a woman was a Christian, and it is quite similar today in many parts of the world.
In fact, is there any society today where it is ‘easy’ to become a committed Christian, a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ? I don’t think there’s ever been such a day, anywhere!
In Acts chapter 3, immediately after the day of Pentecost and that outpouring, anointing, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John are arrested and imprisoned, and it has been, and will be, until Jesus Christ returns.
Pedro and Juan didn’t hide, they didn’t even think about ‘running away’.
In the beginning, there was nowhere to hide, and there was no social benefit to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. This was something new, something different and unique: the birth and launch of the Church of Jesus Christ.
These early disciples enjoyed and appreciated fellowship with God, through Jesus Christ. As they were loved and empowered by God, they became salt and light, defying many forms of darkness.
Regarding this call from God, as holy as it is, and depending on our responding to His holy call, they discovered that it was all by grace.
God seldom calls a person to do what by human ability he can do. We see that in the lives of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah. Read their stories as they are recorded in the Bible.
Almighty God provided them with what they needed, to do what they were called to do.
When today’s disciples wonder what it’s all about sometimes, this clear guide shines through: fix your eyes on Jesus. Faithfully keep running your race and keep your eyes on Jesus, who is the initiator, author and finisher of our faith.
There are times when the disciple has to make that deliberate decision to look away from everything else and look to Jesus Christ, the Savior.
In the book of Hebrews, these disciples knew the meaning of perseverance. As they ran their race, they were able to overcome several pain barriers, two of which may be “getting tired” and “losing heart.”
They didn’t have an easy time. Neither does Jesus Christ.
Be prepared for the struggles and stay focused and faithful. After reading some of these passages in Acts that record the persecution the early Church faced, read Hebrews chapter 11 again and remember what it has been like since Jesus Christ birthed and launched his Church.
In the midst of worship, praise and joyful singing, there is another reality from which we dare not hide or run away.
We do not run to arrive first, but to finish faithfully.
“Almighty God, even as we adore and praise you, we are reminded of the reality of discipleship, of being a disciple of Jesus, that calling for which we thank you, that life of disciplined discipleship in Christ, as we seek to be the salt of the earth. and light of the world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”
