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c) Encouragement Amidst Trouble (Matthew 10:26-33)
MATTHEW 10:26-27
26 Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. (Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; 12:2-9)
The kingdom of God is not words without power. We have no secrets to hide or keep. We offer the power of the Holy Spirit through our testimony to everyone that is willing. Christ’s power has entered our hearts guiding us rightly. His holy love did not remain hidden in us, but appeared in our services. You cannot hide your faith if Christ abides with you, for he who loves his Lord does not lie nor steal, nor become proud, but pleases his parents and honors his neighbors. He does not cheat in school exams or in his work and does not take part in revolutions and coups. Your fellowship in Christ appears through the testimony of your life in public. We do not struggle for faith by our own strength; it is the Lord who strengthens us day and night, in light and in darkness, in good days and in bad days. We are not alone. We are required to communicate to others, without fear, everything we hear from the Gospel about our own salvation. The divine proclamation leads us to testify. Since the Holy Spirit testifies with your spirit that you became a child of God through the blood of Christ, you have the privilege to testify of this grace. Tell society, if possible, what your heart hears, for the Lord’s word is the basis of men’s salvation.
Once a paralyzed blind servant of the Lord asked his friends to buy him a microphone. They were surprised at his request and some of them mocked at him. When they inquired from him the reason, he told them to carry him to the flat roof of his house that he might direct his words with a clear voice to every person that passed by his house asking them to turn their faces towards heaven not towards hell. If this half paralyzed blind man can give his testimony, how rather should we that are well endowed with eyesight and that are called to open our mouths, help those that are drifting away to hell fire and deliver them by the Gospel of salvation?
Go on with your work, proclaiming the gospel to the world. That is your call, mind it! The design of the enemy is not merely to destroy you, but to suppress your testimony! Therefore, whatever the consequences, proclaim the gospel as much as possible. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light, … preach on the housetops.”
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, You suffered for us, and we are frightened of the wickedness of men. We glorify You for saving us. Please teach us to follow You faithfully and give us the encouragement of Your Spirit, that we may testify to others of what You proclaim to us in the gospel so that Your kingdom will come into our homes and surroundings.
QUESTION:
- What does the faithful following of Christ signify?