Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” – Galatians 2:12

Sometimes Christians lose their courage… around other Christians! Even the most mature Christian can find themself tempted to back away from the more radical aspects of obedience to Christ because they don’t want to be questioned or criticized by less mature believers. They back away from sacrifices, people, or situations that could make others uncomfortable. Peter certainly did and Paul had to call him out for his error. Peter understood the glorious gospel truth that in Christ, Jews and Gentiles are one people with no dividing wall any longer. For years, He lived that out. Then, some other Jewish Christians came to town and made him nervous.

Peter stopped eating with Gentile Christians because he was afraid of the criticism of these other believers. This was wrong! It was a fundamental denial of the Gospel. However, his fear blinded him to this reality. Peter probably didn’t want to have to explain himself to these members of his own church. So Paul had to publicly rebuke his anti-gospel behavior.

This isn’t merely a problem in the past. It can be a very present problem for Christians today. Because faithful Christians develop a certain culture amongst themselves, it can be noticed and criticized whenever a believer steps beyond the traditions and expectations of that culture to really engage people who are different. And yet, that’s exactly what we’re all called to do.

Are there things that are commanded in the Bible that you’re nervous about doing because you think other believers will question or criticize you? Think carefully about this, because there probably should be. Identify those things and review the relevant Scriptures. If the Bible says to do them, then have the courage to do what the Lord desires, rather than limiting yourself to what’s approved of by fellow Christians. This is an important aspect of what it means to #FollowJesus

“They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’” – Galatians 1:23

The stunning testimony of the Apostle Paul centered on the way Jesus turned him right around in his Christian-hating tracks and transforming him into the most fervent of followers, evangelists, and church planters. Paul’s transformation shocked and encouraged the early church. It was a vivid reminder of how powerful the Lord Jesus truly is.

The good news is that Jesus has been doing things like this ever since. He still miraculously turned hardened opponents into faithful followers. He’s doing it right now, all over the world. He really is! So, if you’re a follower of Jesus, don’t become discouraged by the number and kinds of people who are attacking Christians. Instead, drop to your knees in prayer for Jesus to take hold of more of them. Think of those most opposed to our unchanging faith in Jesus Christ, whether because of their politics, personal lifestyle, or religious upbringing. Then pray for them specifically and boldly.

Pray for them to have a miraculous encounter with Jesus. Pray for them to hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray for them to be deeply convicted about their sins and to find forgiveness for them in Christ. Pray for modern-day Pauls to be raised up in all the nations, factions, dictatorships, and movements around the world. Pray for revival and awakening to break out in the most unlikely of places, both here and abroad. Pray for those currently persecuting you to suddenly #FollowJesus

“For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.”
– Psalm 75:8

Think carefully about this cup. This is God’s cup of righteous wrath toward all the sin on earth. God is perfectly holy, tolerating no sin. God is completely sovereign over the universe and He is perfectly just. Therefore, He will – He must – pour out His wrath on everyone who remains in their sins. This cup of God’s wrath is the cup that Jesus prayed might pass from Him if there were any other way to deal with our sin. But there wasn’t any other way.

And so, on the cross of Calvary, Jesus of Nazareth, God’s eternal and sinless Son, drank deeply from this cup. As Jesus hung on that cross dying physically, He experienced all of God’s righteous wrath for mankind’s sins. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus made it so that everyone who believes in Him will never have to drink from this cup. Followers of Jesus will never taste of God’s wrath. Ever!

Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? Then this cup isn’t for you, because Jesus already drank it dry. Praise Him for that! Now consider who you know that’s still in line to drink from this cup. Pray for them and then speak urgently to them about their sins and salvation in Jesus Christ.

If Jesus isn’t your Lord and Savior??? Then this cup is still waiting for you! God’s foaming, roiling, boiling wrath is still waiting for you. Don’t choose to drink this cup! Instead, choose to entrust your life to Jesus as your resurrected Savior and Lord. Believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved. Then #FollowJesus

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Do you like to brag about how weak you are? Boast about how broken and hurting you are on any given day? If not, it might be time to change your way of thinking! If Jesus is your Lord, then God’s Holy Spirit lives in you. Christ’s power rests on you. He loves to demonstrate His power and strength through our weaknesses. He loves for us to tell stories of how He accomplished what we couldn’t. If you can embrace your weakness in Christ and submit to the power of God in your life, then you will definitely have some stories to tell!

It shouldn’t be hard to swallow your pride before the Almighty Creator of the Universe. But it often is. It can be very difficult to admit that we’re weak, especially to ourselves. It can be frightening to step out in faith, releasing our control and trusting God’s strength to work when ours falls short. But when we do, there’s so much power, so much freedom, and so many opportunities to share the Gospel. God is tremendously glorified when you let His strength shine through your weakness. Your jaw will routinely drop at what God does in and through you if you can just get over yourself and humbly #FollowJesus

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;” – 2 Corinthians 11:24-25

If all these things happened to us, we might be tempted to complain. But Paul isn’t complaining! He’s content to serve Lord Jesus even when that service is painful. Paul understands what Jesus did for him, redeeming him from his sins through His own sacrificial death on a cross. Paul understands the mission Jesus gave him, to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Paul understands the resources Jesus has given him to accomplish that mission – the Holy Spirit living in Him and the permanent presence of Jesus with Him. For these reasons, Paul could endure hardship and suffering in peace, delighting in His Lord Jesus Who strengthened and sustained him.

If Jesus is your Lord, then He’s done the exact same thing for you that He did for Paul, redeeming you from your sins. He’s given you the exact same mission to make disciples of all nations. And He’s given you the exact same resources to accomplish that mission. So, are you following the example of Paul? Are you delighting in the Lord Jesus and letting Him strengthen and sustain you? Are you enduring hardship for the sake of sharing the hope of Jesus with others? Are you content to experience rejection, opposition, or hostility in order to tell people about your Lord?

If not, why not? What do you lack that Paul had? What do you have that Paul lacked? #FollowJesus