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Wednesday 2 February 2011

Matthew 10:24-31 - Being Christians in a hostile environment

We should expect to experience the same things that Jesus experienced. Jesus is the head of the church, and so if He is accused of being Beelzebub, then we should expect no different. In fact Jesus says it is even more likely that we will be accused of such things.
"So do not be afraid". This is an interesting instruction. All that Jesus has said is "these things will happen", and "they will happen because of Me". So we are to accept them as normal and are not to be afraid. What it means is that these attacks are not things that cannot be dealt with, we can overcome them.
"There is nothing concealed.." As well as not being afraid we are to openly declare the truth. The things that Jesus reveals to us are not to remain hidden, they are to be preached to the world. In the West the world is doing its best to try and shut the mouth of the church. We should resist all this and shout all the louder.
"Do not be afraid". Another injunction not to be afraid again making no bones about the matter that we will be in danger. But those who attack cannot destroy the soul, there is a limit to their power. In Nazi Germany they killed Dietrich Bonhoffer, but could not destroy his soul. Moreover, our Father in heaven is looking after us. This does not mean we will never suffer, but He is aware of absolutely everything, and if we walk with the Spirit, then when we do suffer we suffer with Christ. 

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