January 13, 2012

Acts 5:40-42 NIV
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Personal Challenge...
When you read this scripture in it's context you will find that the apostles have been pulled into the Council of the high priest to be judged because they were publicly proclaiming Jesus as the Lord and the Messiah. The Council was tired of punishing them and having them go right back out and do it again. This time they were getting ready to put them to death when Gamaliel, a member of the Council, convinced them that if this new movement (what we now call Christianity) was truly of God then they would not be able to stop it by killing these men.

Fast forward to our times today. Are we as Christians willing to stand up so firmly for our Lord? Are we willing to take the cat-calls and the slurs because we are willing to pray over our meal at a restaurant, or cross ourselves in public when the names of the Trinity are invoked, or kneel before Him? Are we willing to be public with our commitment to Christ or do we feel it is more politically correct to hide our expressions of faith because we might offend someone. I must admit that I have all too often chosen not to stand out for my faith because of who might be looking in my direction. Think about it...even Jesus was willing to be hung naked on a cross in front of all of the people of Jerusalem in order to save mankind and creation from death. What am I willing to do for Him?