I remember one time when I started a church in a certain community. One day as I was leaving the area, somebody who was very angry approach me. I could see that he was insulting me and ready to fight as he was approaching. I had to get to my car, close the doors and leave. He continued fighting and heating the car with some stones although there was no damage experienced. I later found out that his girlfriend had separated from him because of the gospel that I preached, hence he was angry with me.
Sometimes preaching the gospel can create a lot of enemies for you. These might be people whose business got disrupted by the work you do. When that happens, you might be insulted, persecuted and people can say a lot of evil lies about you. You might even be sent to jail or get killed. Jesus encouraged his disciples to know that they have a great reward in heaven. You should realize that Jesus did not promise to protect his disciples from these forms of attack and danger, but assured them the eternal reward of grace. In this world, you may suffer a great deal, and the Lord might not protect you from such sufferings, but he assures that he will be with you, and promise you great heavenly rewards. Don’t give up or be discouraged when you go through those difficulties. Let your mind focus on the rewards that these challenges bring to you in the eternal life in heaven.
The scriptures in
Mat 5:11-12 ESV says “Blessed are you when others revile (insult) you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Preach the gospel no matter what it cost.
From Simtandile Dlepuma.
Stay blessed.