Faith In Jesus Never Loses Heart

"Today's Devotion" For July 17, 2006

Read: II Corinthians 4:7-18; I Peter 1:3-9

FAITH IN JESUS NEVER LOSES HEART

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." (II Corinthians 4:16-18a)

During this entire month of July, Jews for Jesus and affiliated organizations are blanketing New York City with Gospel tracts - broadsides they're called - sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ - Yeshua in Hebrew. One of the affiliated groups is The Apple of His Eye Ministry out of St. Louis led by a wonderfully blessed Jewish Christian gentleman by the name of Steve Cohen (http://www.aohems.org). Steve has been sharing the marvelous opportunities the volunteers from all over the country, particularly the Midwest, have had to tell others about Jesus. He's also shared the vitriol that so many of the volunteers experienced when they approached Jewish people about Jesus. According to news reports, at least four major Jewish organizations have banded together to denounce and challenge the proclamation of the Gospel by the Jews for Jesus volunteers.

But the challenges to sharing and living the Gospel aren't just found in New York City sharing Jesus with God's chosen people. The challenges are found in many areas of life and living. A Christian in most Moslem countries is not welcome or treated very well if he or she is a witness to the Gospel of Christ. The same can be said of those who, according to accounts from missionaries in and Christian immigrants from India, run afoul of Hindu beliefs, practices, and laws. Jesus often warned of such disdain and hatred, reminding us in the Beatitudes that we can expect to be persecuted and treated with derision and falsehood because we follow Him (Matthew 5:11).

Today, as we look at the newspapers and listen to the news on television and radio, or over the internet, we see a world on the verge of war. Hatred has taken hold of the world and people are fighting each other for myriad reasons. The Palestinians and the Israelis are fighting each other for religious and social reasons. Terrorism dedicated to advancing and establishing Islamic law throughout the Middle East and in many near Eastern nations continues to kill, maim, and destroy. God's people in Christ are challenged each day, even in the United States, because our faith in Jesus leads us to see the world and people differently than society so often does - recognizing humanity's sinful condition and knowing that no one is without sin and everyone is in need of the Savior.

Paul's words to the Corinthian church came during such a time in their lives as well. He knew what it was like to suffer for the Gospel. He knew what it was to be challenged to be faithful in the face of persecution, hatred, and disdain. He took courage and strength from the assurance of faith in Christ that nothing, including death, can remove us from our loving Savior's arms. Paul reminds us, also, that we can take heart no matter how mad the world grows, no matter what challenges to our faith in Jesus we might face, and regardless of the attempts of our detractors to destroy us. We can take heart, Paul reminds us, knowing that even though we may feel the "heat" and suffer for Jesus, the Holy Spirit, who has put God's mark on us in Holy Baptism, is continually renewing us in that Baptism and in the Word each day.

Just as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob received God's promises and believed them, even though they never saw the Savior (cf. Hebrews 11), so also, by faith, do we trust God's promises in Christ, trust in Him as our Lord and Savior, and await, as forgiven sinners, the final day in which He calls us to be with Him forever. Faith in Jesus never loses heart, no matter what happens in the world and in our lives, because we belong to Him and nothing can separate us from His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Prayer: Father, as I look around me I see a world gone mad. People hate for no really good reason except someone else isn't them, doesn't look like them, doesn't talk like them, or doesn't believe like them. Too often, Father, I find myself walking in those shoes also and I'm ashamed. Father, for the sake of Christ, forgive me of my hatreds and strengthen me for the task ahead of sharing Christ's love in a world that would just as soon flay me than listen to me. And that frightens me, Father. As I see others experiencing derision and hatred for their faith in Jesus as they witness for Him, I am left wondering if I really want to be a witness to Your love in Christ, for I don't like to suffer. Remind me by the power of Your Holy Spirit, working in me through Your Word and Holy Baptism, that by faith in Jesus I don't need to lose heart, but can boldly proclaim Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ alone, no matter what others may think of me nor what they might do to me. Help me to live a life that reflects Your strength and power in my life so that others might hear about Jesus from me without fail. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.