TRANSLATE
When faced with pressures, obstacles, storms, and anti-God ideas that test our faith, the Church should respond with a spirit of preparation, alertness, and hope, grounded in God’s Word.
Here’s how we should do it:
Prepare for Trouble #
Disciples of Christ should expect challenges and difficulties. The Bible warns us not to be surprised by opposition or suffering for our faith:
1 Peter 4:12 — Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.
From the start, Christianity existed in a world of conflicting beliefs and systems. Today, spiritual forces work through people and systems, promoting ideas that shift focus from God to self/flesh.
Examples include the redefinition of truth, social justice movements devoid of biblical values, and the demand for conformity to secular ideologies.
Jesus prepared His disciples by saying:
John 15:19-20 — If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too.
He wasn’t discouraging His disciples but equipping them to stand firm. As disciples of Christ, we are called to develop strong minds and remain steadfast, no matter how others react to our faith:
John 16:1 — “I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away.
Always Be Alert #
Disciples of Christ must stay vigilant, understanding the dangers around them:
1 Peter 5:8 — Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.
Being “sober-minded” means having a clear and prepared mind, aware of the enemy’s tactics. The devil often uses false ideas and persuasive arguments to lead believers astray. Therefore, we should stay mentally and spiritually awake:
1 Peter 1:13 — Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
When confronted by opposing views, disciples of Christ should engage with grace and truth, not retreat. It is an opportunity to defend our faith with kindness and respect:
1 Peter 3:15 — But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
Even challenging interactions can strengthen our faith. They encourage us to reflect deeply on what we believe and why, following examples like Paul, who reasoned and explained the gospel boldly.
Acts 19:8 — So Paul entered the synagogue and spoke out fearlessly for three months, addressing and convincing them about the kingdom of God.
Acts 26:28 — Agrippa said to Paul, “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”
Have Hope #
Hope is vital for enduring life’s challenges.
Viktor E. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, observed that hope and a vision for the future empowered people to survive extreme suffering.
He said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Similarly, the Bible emphasizes hope as a source of strength:
1 Thessalonians 1:3 — because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture repeatedly calls us to trust in God’s promises:
Psalms 42:5 — Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.
The greatest hope for the disciples of Christ is the return of Jesus Christ:
Titus 2:13 — as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This eternal perspective reminds us not to anchor our desires in temporary things but in the everlasting hope found in God alone.
“Our Hope Is Christ“
Hold on to your faith #
During hard times, it is important to stay true to our values and not give up. Problems often put our faith in Christ to the test, but they also give us a chance to show how strong our faith is.
1 Corinthians 16:13 — Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.
As disciples of Christ, we are to stay true to God’s Word no matter what the world tries to do to change our minds or get us to give in. Just like Jesus did not change even when people tried to stop him, we must also stick to the truth, trusting that God’s Word will never fail.
Spread peace and patience #
We should not get angry or frustrated when there is disagreement. Instead, we should be calm and patient. This is a strong sign to the world that God’s love goes beyond what makes people different.
Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are those who make peace, for they will be called sons of God.”
Being patient helps us get through rough times without giving up. By being peaceful like He is, we must show that our faith in Christ is strong even when the world is in chaos.
Help each other out in the community #
When you are up against resistance, it is important to receive help and comfort from other disciples of Christ. Because the Church is a community and a congregation; we carry each other’s responsibilities.
Galatians 6:2 — Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
By standing together in unity, we help each other persevere through hard times and enhance each other’s faith. This sense of community helps us remember that we are not the only ones going through hard times and can get through them together.
Keep in mind the eternal reward #
The world may offer short-term happiness or acceptance, but for disciples of Christ, the real prize is eternity with God. We should keep our eyes on the final reward i.e. Christ as our inheritance, even when things get hard.
Romans 8:18 — For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us.
When you are having a hard time, it is easy to focus on the pain or discomfort around you. But when we remember that our greatest goal is to be in Christ on earth and with Him after we pass on, we can handle anything that comes our way.
Show love and forgiveness in your response #
When disciples of Christ face resistance, persecution or abuse, they should always show love, even to those who are against them. We should forgive and love those who hurt us, just like Jesus did when He forgave those who put Him on the cross.
Matthew 5:44 — But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,
This kind of bold love not only shows what Christ’s heart is like, but it can also change the minds of people who are against the gospel. When we act with love, we show that forgiveness, grace and kindness are powerful.
Keep in mind the Mission #
Even when things get hard, it is important to remember the bigger assignment God has given us: to make disciples and spread the gospel. Opposition should not stop us from our mission; instead, it should make us want to share Christ’s love with even more people.
Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
The Church’s purpose has not changed, even though we face problems. This hard time reminds us of how important it is to share the Good News with others.
Lastly, #
Our wonderful Father God is so wise that He uses bad weather and steep hills to help us grow as disciples of Christ and have stronger faith. As we go through the tough times of our faith, we should:
We should always be ready to share our hope because our Lord God gives us the strength to stand strong and shine His light in a world that often turns its back on Him.
Blessings,
Shaliach.
