DAY 2: SUFFERING AS A HERALD
Read 2 Timothy 1:11.
A herald in Paul’s day was known by the Greeks to be one who proclaims the words of a king – a sort of town crier. Paul, being a herald of God, proclaimed the words of God, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ. His primary audience was those who had never heard of the Jesus Christ (a.k.a. the Gentiles). Did he suffer for it? Absolutely! His ministry led him to unfamiliar cities, unfamiliar people, and unfamiliar experiences. There was perhaps no greater reason for his suffering than the proclamation of the gospel and the threat it had on those in authority, be it religious or civil. Paul’s suffering was self-inflicted, but it was God-inspired. He obeyed faithfully and courageously the call of God to proclaim Christ, and he suffered for it.
The proclamation of the gospel in this day and country rarely sees the kind of suffering experienced by Paul. We live in a religiously free society. We live in a democratic society. It was much different in Paul’s day. The gospel threatened the religious and civil authorities to the point that they had to do something to stop Paul. Paul suffered for it with a martyr’s death. In contrast, the suffering we face for the proclamation of the gospel today seems more related to insult than threat. The gospel message is perceived as intolerant, bigoted, judgmental, and condescending. The exclusivity of Christ has become perhaps the greatest point of contention in the proclamation of the gospel today. It has led many proclaiming Christians to suffer ridicule and rejection for believing in such a narrow religion.
We have no control over how an individual will respond to the gospel message. There is nothing we can do about the exclusivity of Christ. If someone struggles with that truth, we may only pray that God will bring the conviction of faith into their hearts. Suffering for the sake of the message is simply going to have to be an acceptable part of proclaiming the gospel. That said, if we are going to suffer for the gospel, let it be the gospel itself and not us – let it be the message, not the messenger.
Two weeks ago, Craig said that when we share Christ with others, it is to be motivated by love. If you want to damage a relationship, there’s not much more condemning than the message of Christ without a concern for the other person. When a person shares the gospel out of sincere love for the individual, I have never seen it lead to rejection. Have you? I say this because many people are afraid to share Christ because they fear rejection or they are afraid they might turn the person off to Christ. I suggest that if a person is sharing Christ out of sincere love, that person will know it and receive it as such. They may not agree with the message, but one rarely ever has to fear rejection or worry they may turn off the person. I have just never seen it, ever. So, go on and share the gospel with others with genuine love. If they are offended by the gospel, then so be it. Chances are they are offended by the gospel with our without your sharing, so you had nothing to lose by sharing. I really doubt their thoughts about Christ were worsened by a loving act of sharing.
To consider: When it comes to proclaiming Christ, what are you afraid of? Really consider if the fear is legitimate. Are you doing anything that might lead an unbeliever to reject you, and consequently the message? Pray that as you step out boldly to share Christ, the individual will see your heart of love and even better, accept the message.
