Forewarned is… ???

We’ve all known some. Maybe we’ve even been one, at one time or another?

Fair-weather fans.

The ones who are all gung-ho… as long as their team is winning. Who are all-too-quick to jump ship and/or change allegiances when the going gets tough.

No one wants to be identified with losers… right? Is that why so many disciples — a.k.a., followers of Jesus — headed for the hills when His message got tough?

“The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe” … From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.”  (John 6:64, 66)

Enduring a failing sports team is one thing. Enduring a Rabbi’s tough message — even a Miracle-Making Rabbi like Jesus — is another.

But how many disciples endured when Jesus died on the cross? When the hoped-for (and promised) Winner of all winners became, apparently, the Loser of all time?

When Friday was anything but “good”… because Sunday’s Resurrection couldn’t even be imagined?

We may never know.

But that was then. This is now. So, the real question is: Will we be fair-weather fans of Jesus when the going gets tough for us?

Funny thing about tough times. We often want to avoid even thinking about them. Hoping, if we do, we will avoid them altogether. But this is one question we can be sure will not go away.

Jesus said so.

“You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me.”  (Matthew 24:9).

“The time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God… I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them.”   (John 16:2,4)

Because forewarned is… forearmed.

But is this relevant for Christian business owners and executives leading marketplace ministry in an increasingly hostile culture? It may be a stretch, at least in this country, to think we will be literally killed if we honor the Lord and seek Kingdom impact in and through our business.

But the days are coming when people will try to kill our freedom to exercise faith in concrete and practical ways within (and beyond) our company’s literal and virtual walls. Even to kill our business, if we persist in whatever faith expressions are considered anathema.

For many, those days are already here.

Today’s Kingdom POWER tool comes from Crosswalk.com. Five Promises intended to encourage — i.e., inspire courage in — every committed Christian who takes following Jesus seriously.

We will face persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

There is blessing in persecution. (Matthew 5:10)

God manifests His strength to those facing persecution. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

God sees the purity of those who have given their lives for the sake of Christ. (Revelation 3:4-5, 6:10, 7:9-14, 19:8)

God will vindicate those who are persecuted. (Rev. 19:1-3)

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/5-promises-for-the-persecuted.html

Thank you… I think?

What will help us become all-weather fans of Jesus?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can… EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at https://calendly.com/diana-furr.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *