Will you take a bullet for Jesus?

1 Peter 3:13-17 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

I am struggling this morning if to write or not. Today my mind is racing and trying to unpack dreams and scripture. I am only writing because I have always sought to be transparent; I do not hide the sinner that I am, I seek no lofty goal, I only want to show you I am no different from you, and that you too can be saved by Grace and have every blessing that God desires for you also. I am a man humbled greatly by God, stripped of pride and rooted in the love and reverent fear I have for Him. I only seek to point you to your need for Jesus also; I only seek to prod you to living your life daily seeking his will for your life, and knowing you will reap a heavenly reward for your life as a disciple here.

I do not remember my dreams, but I remember part of one vividly from last night; being shot at by a sniper and a bullet grazing my back. I woke up thinking about it, and I prayed for wisdom as I entered God’s Word this morning; I felt the Holy Spirit tell me 1st Peter 3, and the passage above seemed like it was in bold print. The obvious speaks to suffering for Christ, but there also is the addressing of sin and suffering. The deep convictions of sin are ever pressing; the only way to cope is to pray for forgiveness and healing. This is part of my daily walk; I must repent daily for my struggles the day before. I stand amazed by the level of mercy that God shows me as I am ashamed of the sinner I still am. I thank him for those convictions and pray for the strength through him to improve my daily life. I am a different person than I was only a few years ago, but sanctification is a lifelong process that we must endure.

In the middle of this passage is the question of will you stand for what you believe? Will you take a stand and witness of Jesus Christ, even as the passages is bookended by asking if you are willing to suffer for your response? Do you see evil killing Christians at a rate my generation has never seen? Do you see that you may be called to profess or renounce your faith with your life in the balance? Will you die for your faith in Jesus Christ? Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Will you take a bullet for Jesus? The world we live in is changing; Satan and evil are peaking before his final demise by Christ. The day is coming when you are going to see the world economy change to one central system, and a person arise with the promise of a solution of peace. You can see this work around you coming to these “solutions.” This is biblical and all God’s plan to provide an eternal paradise free from sin. Your generation too is playing a part; which side are you on? Will you stand for what you believe no matter the cost?