Opposition to the gospel

Tonight at our small groups we discussed Acts 4-5 and had some interesting conversations. I am so encouraged and motivated by the example of Peter and John in these chapters and how they rejoiced in there suffering because they saw it as a honor. An honor to suffer in the name of Christ, oh how I desire to have their frame of thinking in my own suffering.

v 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

I think about the opposition that they encountered and compared to my own opposition is unthinkable to me and especially to rejoice in it. They were flogged which is an excrutiatingly painful type of torture to endure I am sure. The only type of torture I endure is an inner kind that I weep over. How ridiculous it sounds when I actually write it down and read it myself.

Anyway, tonight we discussed on how as Christians we will face opposition when we spread the gospel. There were some who didn't feel this way however and felt that some Christians will not be faced with opposition. If the word of God says we will have opposition then I believe we will have opposition. The argument was that God wants us to be happy (which I think could be a pontentially risky statement if not clarified) and not faced with these oppositions and that some of us do not have a problem with other peoples ridicules, rejections, rudeness, and objections and there for they are not facing oppositions.

There are many different types of oppostions and different levels as well. Peter and John were put in prison and flogged as an opposition to the gospel of Christ, some are killed in opposition to the gospel of Christ, others are simply laughed at, rididuled, punched and kicked, or just ignored. These are all oppositions but are different types and levels. I personally have only been harshly ridiculed and made fun of because of the gospel.

As a christian I feel that maybe I should have more to put after that one. What does it mean that in my 5 or so years as a born again believer I have had only one opposition to my faith? For me it means that I am not expressing my passion and zeal for the Lord as I could be or should be. And also as I am commanded to. Currently it is an area in my life which I am undergoing a lot of construction in. Not just the kind that is found on the roads in Louisiana that have been under "construction" for 10 years but more like a house under contruction on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Joyfully, diligently, thoughtfully, and passionately under contruction with a real motivation to get it done quickly.

These are all of my thoughts on this right now...........or all that I feel like writing.

Joyfully in Him,
Kelli