Witness for Christ Blog

Jesus states 3 times in the gospels "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Indeed churches are patronized by people who like all the promises of God but have no intention of taking up their cross.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So if something has to change it's got to be you and me. God's unconditional love calls for unconditional trust on our part. Here comes the rub: salvation is free but following Jesus will cost you everything you are.

People lull themselves with a sweet Jesus meek and mild, baby Jesus on Christmas day, etc... Jesus has also some other titles - like commander of the armies of God and so there comes a time when you realise you are in the midst of a spiritual conflict of cosmic proportions and you'd better play your part or be defeated.

Of course you will not be tested beyond what you can bear but what does not kill you will also make you stronger. If you think that taking allegiance to Jesus Christ would grant you a red carpet treatment all the way to heaven - you are mistaken.

Nothing is new under the sun. The apostle Paul berated the Corinthian believers for not being spiritually mature. Today many in the western world do not know how to distance themselves from a consumer lifestyle.

Each one of us will undergo a baptism of fire - meaning a strip-down of your security blanket, a reeling Job type experience where everything seems to go crazy for no apparent reason. Friends will come alongside you to offer a wrong escape route and point at reasons why you brought this upon yourself.

Jesus is standing by all along the ordeal and angels are watching and cheering you on the moment you choose to worship God in the face of adversity.

Not everybody's idea of a safe and tranquil religion you must admit. That's why there are some casualties along the way. It's not what happens to you that matters - by and large you have little control over it. It's how you handle it that will make all the difference. If someone hurt you, that will be the grand opportunity to learn how to forgive. The devil can use a spouse to betray you, a boss to sack you, a friend to steal from you, whatever. Will you pass the test or will you have to go around the mountain one more time?

Keep your eyes on finishing the good race and look forward to hearing the Master's words: "Well done, good and faithful servant..."

Add comment