Dare to be different (Jesus Freak #2)

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

All through history you find those that deny the power of God, even denying that there is a God. There is theology wrapped up in those that believe, and those that deny. Those who believe are considered the “elect”, and those that deny are not. Therein lies a basis for deep doctrinal argument on the biggest topic of Predestination. That is not a topic for a morning devotional. Paul was writing to a church troubled and divided. The church was claiming to be followers of different leaders, and taking their eyes off Christ. They were placing their trust in the wisdom of men, and not the power of God. This today even happens when we place more hope in the man delivering the message, and not the message itself. The message of the cross is the Gospel itself.

Those who deny the power of God are simply placing more faith in themselves than they are the Creator of the universe. They believe their own wisdom is so great, they have figured it all out. They believe that only the ignorant believe in God; how dumb we must be for placing our faith in an unknown God. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. The proof of God is all around us in creation; the evolution ideal takes more faith to believe in that the ideal of a supreme being. The pride in ones wisdom, is the road paved to eternal damnation. That pride will lead you down a path of destruction without the humbling of your heart, and the realization that you don’t have it all figured out.

Do you smile at the opportunities to share your faith, or do you withdraw for the fear of ridicule? That is a small victory for Satan every time you withdraw. You should never be ashamed of sharing your faith, most likely that urge you feel is because the Holy Spirit is wanting to use you to encourage that person who stands before you. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.You don’t want to miss that opportunity; it is a step closer to God for you, and most likely them too. You will experience God in your life, and see the fruit of His work through your life. If your message comes with ridicule for your faith, smile and shake the dust off your feet. God has prepared your heart, but maybe not theirs yet. John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Dare to be different from all those out there who say they believe, yet there is no evidence in their lives. Share your faith whenever possible, and let God perform the increase.