MAY 3, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

MAY 3 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-58

There is a verse where Jesus says, "If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:33). We have been given such a great privilege in not only knowing the Lord, but speaking of our relationship with Him and His truth to the world. Paul tells us that we need to be, "steadfast and immovable and that we need to be always abounding in the work of the Lord." We were saved to share. We have been forgiven so we can speak forth what He has done. We are redeemed so that we may always be ready to give an answer for our hope to the world. Our salvation is not just so we can go to heaven, but that we might testify to God's truth in a world that desperately needs to know, so that all might have an opportunity to come to Christ. If it was only about us and going to heaven, then the moment we are saved the Lord would just bring us home.

We have been given a beautiful mission with a beautiful message. You would think that people would be lining up to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and His salvation. Sadly, this is not true. It is not only that they don't want to hear, but many are vehemently opposed to us even sharing it. They killed Jesus because they didn't want to hear. They killed the Apostles, who were simply out sharing about forgiveness and salvation. History is filled with the martyrs of the church, who were massacred for the message of Christ. Why? This message is so wonderful. Why would people not want to hear it and silence it forever? I had a group of people upset with me because in a newspaper opinion piece I made the statement that, "we are all sinners." In response, they called me hateful, bigoted and uncaring, for I dared to call them sinners. The rest of my article told about the Gospel, but that didn't matter. I had called all people sinners. You see there's the issue. It is offensive to declare mankind is sinful and in need of a Savior. We need to be steadfast and immovable. We need to continue in the great work of sharing His message, regardless of the opposition.

Please share your thoughts.