The Walk

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22)

Jesus made it clear to His disciples that anyone who wishes to follow Him wouldn't be well-liked. In fact, they might end up pretty lonely, outcaste, and persecuted. That's is one of the truths the Holy Spirit has been using to comfort and encourage me to press on.

That's because over the past few days I have been experiencing some doubt, discouragement and uncertainty in regards to these articles. The enemy just loves to put thoughts in my head like, "Nobody is reading this and nobody cares." I'll make a funny comment on social media and get 20 "likes" but when I share my writing I am left wondering if anyone even saw it. At a time like this when people measure success by the number of "likes" or followers you get on a social media post, it's hard to feel accomplished when something you invest so much time and energy on comes up empty.

Satan would love for me to roll over and call it quits or heck, even scale back a little on the truth bombs about the reality of hell and how our salvation actually requires us to make significant changes to how we are living. I am sure if I wrote content that was ONLY comforting and not challenging or convicting in any way, it might add a few "likes." But would it save any lives?

I have one mission on this planet. I was given one instruction and it was the same one Jesus delivered to everyone (yes, everyone) that wants to identify with Him:

The Great Commission

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

I think there are a lot of people, particularly Christians, that would agree with the Great Commission - to make disciples. But I also think (and it's because I witness it) there's a lot of apathy towards this. At times, I myself can be extremely apathetic towards this mission. Just the other day I was instructed by God to prep myself to share Christ with someone but I hesitated and began groaning about it internally. The good news is that after a bit of wrestling with God, I decided to submit. I decided that me being uncomfortable with what God was asking me to do was OK but I still needed to obey Him.

You see, following Christ isn't popular at all, especially in our own minds. Satan will use our comfort as a means to stop us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. And if the enemy fails at that, he will try to make us think our purpose in life doesn't have to be rooted in the Great Commission. Instead, he tries to get us more interested in prioritizing other things like social causes, politics, our careers, our families and drumrolllllllll...even our own church.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Revelation 2:4)

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus warns several churches that their actions are placing them in jeopardy of losing their salvation. But there are two churches which He applauds. And this is always hard to hear but those two churches seem to be the only ones facing tough persecution (imprisonment, torture, death). When I think of those churches, I forget all about the number of "likes" I get on a blog or social media post. Rather, I am reminded that a large, cheering audience isn't what I'm looking for. There's only one thing I desire on my walk with Christ and that is to hear these words...

"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23 - partial)