Tuesday, November 20, 2018

"You will be opposed but when you are, I will have your back!"

"But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’  I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:10-16

When you commit to the thrill of being used by God to change lives there is a predictable thing that will happen. Those who are not thrilled about lives being changed will challenge you!

If you have been on the planet for more than a few years and have ever tried to carry out God's will, you have discovered not everyone appreciates your efforts.

In fact. if you are a Christian and have never been ridiculed or opposed you must not be doing it right!

Jesus was very honest with His followers as He prepared to send them out. He told them that they would run into people who would be rude and not receptive of their witness. He was preparing them for the challenges they would face as they tried to change lives with His Gospel. He also told them when they get rejected He will take it personally and those who oppose them will be opposing Him! He will deal with them!

Jesus is saying, "You will be opposed but when you are, I will have your back!"

When you commit to becoming a life-changer you should come to it with eyes wide open! You will find it challenging! You will be opposed! You will get intimidated!

These seventy-two disciples did!

But because Jesus had prepared then they faced the challenges and overcome them by the power of His Word in their mouths!

God used these faithful followers to change lives despite the opposition and challenges they faced. And in fact, rather than stealing away the thrill of God's will it only added to it!

Aren't you glad these followers didn't cower in the face of the challenges they encountered?

Are you allowing the fear of opposition keep you from becoming a life-changer?