We Know Jesus isn't about Raising Wimps!
2/8/2011
“We know Jesus isn’t about raising wimps. History proves they never quite seem to cut it. : ) That’s a noteworthy reminder.”
“The disciples left the religious rulers, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:41)
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. “ (2Cor.9:7)
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” (Mat.11:12)
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Rom.8:17)
We are rejoicing, or unhappily resistant—but cannot be both.
We are cheerful givers, or reluctant score-keepers—but cannot be both. We are forcefully advancing over-comers, or hesitant and weak-kneed—but cannot be both. We share in His suffering by choice, or we try to avoid it by pleasing men or appeasing our comfort levels—but cannot share in His Glory both ways.
“We know Jesus isn’t about raising wimps. History proves they never quite seem to cut it. : ) That’s a noteworthy reminder.”
—Imanuel B.
Begin forwarded message:
Subject: En-couraging to me : )
I was very encouraged by Dietrich’s thoughts on Matthew 10:16-25. : )
—Xoxox, Dan Z.
“A wonderful strength resides in the disciples’ suffering. Criminals suffer their punishment in hiddenness. But the disciples’ path of suffering will lead them before princes and kings, ‘for my sake, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.’ The good news will be propagated by suffering. That is the plan of God and the will of Jesus; and that is why in the hour of accountability before courts and thrones the disciples will be given the power to give a good confession, to offer a fearless witness. The Holy Spirit himself will be with them. He will make them invincible. He will give them ‘a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict’ (Luke 21:25). Because the disciples hold fast to the word in their suffering, the word will remain with them. Self-sought martyrdom would not have this promise. But the promise is absolutely certain for those who suffer with the word.
“Hate toward the word of Jesus’ messengers will remain until the end of time. Hate will pronounce the disciples guilty of all the divisions which will come over cities and houses. Jesus and his disciples will be condemned by everyone as destroyers of the family, as forces leading the people astray, as crazy enthusiasts and troublemakers. Then the temptation to fall away will be very near to the disciples. But the end is also near. Until its coming they are to remain faithful, to endure, to stand fast. Only those who stand fast with Jesus and his word to the end will be blessed. But when the end comes, when the enmity toward Jesus and his disciples is revealed for all the world to see, then and only then should the disciples flee from one city to another, in order to proclaim the word where it will still be heard. Even in this flight, they are not separated from the word, but stand fast with it…
“The return of Jesus will come quickly. His coming is more certain than our being able to complete our work in his service. It is more certain than our death. Jesus’ messengers can receive no greater consolation in all this than the certainty that in their suffering they will be like their Lord. Whatever happens to the master will happen to the disciple; whatever happens to the lord will also happen to the servant. If Jesus is called a devil, then that will happen even more to the servants of the house. So Jesus will be with them and they will be like Christ in everything.”
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