Based on John 16:1-4a (King James Version)
“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.”
Today’s message is not an easy one, and it goes against various false doctrines that have been shared. The Bible teaches that we will have problems, and very big problems because of our faith in the Lord. Whoever says contrary either does not understand many of the written passages or they are telling you something that you want to listen to so they can sheer you, like the sheep you are. But the Word is very clear on this issue.
Why do we have to go through these tough moments, sooner or later? This is not necessarily what the Lord desires, because the Lord desires our well-being. The issue is that the true culprit of the problem is sin. And let’s be even more clear; the sin that is within each of us is what causes the problem. The only difference between us is that there are those that allow themselves to be guided by the Spirit of God and those that let themselves be led by the evil that dwells within them. What do you follow? This is the heart of the matter.
This is what the Word teaches us: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” John 15:19-21. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39.
In the last times, the times we are already living in, there shall be such persecution like never before. For it is also written: “Then He said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.’” Luke 21:10-13. So then, following the Lord will be difficult, realistically speaking, because it goes against everything we humanly desire. No one likes to suffer, but that is what the sin on this earth produces, and the problems that we have among people. And the price that sin will cause to be paid by many will even involve death. If we see the limited information we have, Lifeway tells us that approximately 215 million Christians live through persecution today. Analysts say that 1 out of every 12 Christians live in places where their faith is either illegal, prohibited, or punished. In a report on 2018, it is estimated that 3,066 Christians were killed, 1,252 were kidnapped, 1,020 were raped or sexually harassed, and 793 churches were attacked. The world was horrified by the attack in New Zealand some days ago, which is understandable because no one has the right to take another person’s life. But who talks about the thousands of Christians that died in 2018 alone? Where was the press in all of that? And even more alarming, where was the universal church in all of that? Many called for a prayer chain for the people that were affected by the recent attack in New Zealand, but who asks for prayer and support for our own family in Christ? The Lord told us the Truth, that there would be a price for following Him, and that it would a very high cost.
So then, how do you continue moving forward in a world that sooner or later will persecute us (including our carnal family), and that will even kill many of us for our faith in Jesus? The only thing that surpasses all the limits is love. And when there is love, there is no fear (it’s as simple as that). For it is written: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19. This is the key question every Christian should ask themselves: “Do you believe in such a way in the Lord and in what He has done for you that it takes you to love Him as much as He loves you? When everything is good and fine, you will always have people around you. But, when things get tough, when things are not sweet, when there is no prosperity or healings or miracles, who remains? While Jesus did miracles, signs, and fed many, the multitudes followed Him, and they wouldn’t even let Him rest. But, when He was sold to His enemies, who remained with Him? I am very sure that many who He helped and even healed were in the crowd of people that cried out: “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Even His own disciples abandoned Him. And when He was on the cross paying for the sin of all humanity (where He paid for my sins), there were only but five people at the foot of the cross. The thousands were nowhere to be found.
This is the true meaning of love: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. Nothing can be withstood if you don’t love the Lord. If you look for Him for convenience, to just get what you want, or even as a duty, sooner or later, you will abandon the faith. But, if you love the Lord as much as He loves you, even death will not separate you from Him. Think about this: No one has ever done nor will do for you what the Lord has done. So then, do you have enough faith and love for the Lord so you can follow Him even in the worst of circumstances? Lord bless! John