Hi friends its a new week!
We thank the good Lord for the gift of life and for his graces and blessings on us. May His name be praised now and forever. Amen.
So much is available to reflect on today from the gospel of John. JN 15:26 reminds us particularly of the essence of our christian calling:
Gospel JN 15:26—16:4A
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
"I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you."
source
We can deduce from the above reading that everything that happens to us has been predestined by God. Jesus in the reading, showed His disciples what the future will be like for them: they had been briefed about the kind of hatred that awaits those who accepts to be His friends.
Since the basic obligation of the disciples was to bear witnesses to His life on earth, Jesus had warned them of the hardship and wickedness they'll face from those who detests Him when He's leaves them to sit at the right hand of His father.
The online dictionary sees a witness as:
a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
A witness according to the dictionary meaning is important primarily to testify or proclaim or explain an event in order to clear all doubt.
Due to His perfect nature, Jesus had appointed witnesses in form of the apostles right from the beginning of His ministry. He wanted them to witness his miracles, preachings, passion, death and resurrection so that they may proclaim convincingly His victor over death, death on the cross. But He knew the mission to witness is itself a "death sentence". Thus he encouraged, strengthened and prepared them with the coming of the "advocate" a boost.
IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD
"They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God."
Many unbelievers still see Christians and preachers as enemies. But perhaps the "absurd" or "ungodly" acts is the killings of the children of God in places of worship. Again, the massacres and burning of churches everywhere around the world has been foretold as evident in the above verse. It is unexplainable, but people are killing the children of God and due to their ignorance, feels they are doing it for God.
But how should we react as Christians? Are we to forsake peace and fight these people for claims of "self defence"? Are we to forsake God to protect our own life? Will it be right to stop our good works because our neighbours refutes and condemns our belief? Should we care for those who are know antagonists in their times of pain?
The true Christian calling is far from easy, yet we are today called to be witnesses to God who we believe in. No amount of trials or persecution should derail us from the love of Christ as said by Saint Paul.
We are challenged to remain firm in the gospel which we believe and preach and to make good works our priority.
"Anyone who fears for his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will definitely find it"...JN 12:25
This is our hope. We should be happy and proud of it for its an hope for the life that lasts. We are but travellers in this world, let's do good so we can rest well in the later life.
"God desires for you to be involved in drawing people to His Word through a dedicated life to Him and an active witness for Him."- Paul Chappell
May God grant us the grace to work tirelessly for Him and with only Him in mind, so that at the end, we may see Him as He really is. Amen.
Thanks as we read and share.
I'm @tomfreeman!
IF YOU ENJOYED THE POST, PLEASE BE FEEL FREE TO READ AND SHARE MY OTHER PUBLICATIONS BELOW:
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LIKE A FOOL...(LOVE LIKE CHRIST!)
FAITH IN THE MESSAGE...(HOW WILL YOU SAY: " SHOW US THE FATHER?")
God bless us as we read.