Suffering church

​"Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). I've quoted this bible verse to several people this week. This is an easy and non-threatening way to invite people to seek God for themselves and discover that he is good - all the time, even in the storms of life.

In Australia we are unlikely to be persecuted or suffer for sharing our faith, and yet many Christians here are complacent or frightened of rejection. We need to remember that Jesus said, "pick up your cross and follow me". This is an aspect of discipleship that we don't like to talk about much. None of us want to suffer and many of us fear rejection. The reality is that our neighbors and friends are likely to respond well if we share our faith and encourage faith in others in a gentle and respectful way. If we do happen to get an unpleasant response, we can turn our eyes to Jesus and be encouraged that we can be so identified with him. We need to be reminded to "Keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

In other parts of the world, Christians face persecution and suffer like Jesus did. In some places they are killed, tortured, put in prison, and opposed. This is to be expected as Jesus said that the world hated him and if we follow Jesus, it will hate his followers too. This Sunday, we will hear more about this from our visiting speaker, Lachlan, from Barnabas Aid (another mission agency we support with our financial giving through MEAC). I hope you will join us. 

This week I pray we will all be emboldened to share our faith with those around us when opportunity arises. We need to always have an answer for the faith we have when people ask us. This is how people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, and grow in maturity, one conversation at a time.

Are you ready to tell people that you have tasted (sought and come to know) the Lord, and know that he is good? Will you encourage others to taste him and come to know him for themselves? Are you willing to suffer for the gospel, if ever needed? Keeping your eyes on Jesus will enable you to endure anything you come up against.

God is with you and for you,
 
Reverend Tanya Cummings