“Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.’” – Acts 22:22
Not everything Jesus commands us to say or do will be popular! Expect that your obedience to Jesus and proclamation of His will and way will get some people angry sometimes. For Paul’s audience, the breaking point was telling them that Jesus commanded him to take the Gospel to a non-Jewish audience. They were shocked, offended, and outraged that God’s grace and love could possibly apply to Gentiles! This grace is what put the crowd in a murderous mood. But it was God’s will and way. The mystery of the Gospel is that by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, many considered different, dirty, and dangerous will be welcomed into the one family of God as a gift of grace.
If you’re faithful to Christ’s call on your life, expect to make some people upset at you. That may include people who thought they were on the same side as you (even people calling themselves Christians). Whether you’re speaking the heart and truth of Jesus on matters of justice, mercy, money, politics, sex, sin, repentance, or obedience expect it to offend some people. Don’t be offensive as you speak the truth but expect the truth itself to offend.
Trust that if you have offended others for Jesus, He is very present with you. He will strengthen and refresh you, encourage you and empower you to hold to His truth. Don’t be afraid, be faithful. #FollowJesus