Are You the Biggest Loser?
“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” 1 Thess. 2:4-6
Growing up as one of the most unpopular kids in the class each year in school while my brother inevitably was always one of the most popular in his came with its challenges. It didn’t help I was exceedingly sensitive. Ouch! Rejection and hurt feelings became second nature to me. I found my niche with the studious kids who were ordinarily top of the class. I never was, but I studied hard enough to be in their pack albeit at the lower end. The only time I was part of the “in crowd” occurred in the 8 years I drank alcohol – alcoholically. For 8 years straight, I had the “fuel” to do all the wrong and bad stuff that bought my ticket into the “in crowd.” Then I got sober. I began my downward spiral back into the unpopular crowd in life. The Holy Spirit started drawing me to the Lord Jesus Christ. When I became a genuine Christ follower, and not merely an intellectual believer in Christ, it seemed I hit rock bottom on the popular charts. Living by God’s Word couldn’t be more unpopular in this world. Little did I know what would happen when God called me into ministry. For not only was my lifestyle now in direct contrast to the world’s ways, but I had been charged to preach and write boldly about the Word of God.
The apostle Paul made it clear ministers of God aren’t called to flatter and please people with lighthearted, sugar-coated, happy-go-lucky, worldly words to make people feel comfortable and encourage them to sin and enjoy every minute of it mind you to garner love, approval, and praise from others. Ministers are charged to preach the Truth of God’s Word with love, boldness, and no greater desire than to love, serve, please, and glorify God even at the cost of rejection, hatred, ridicule, and persecution.
The call to live by and proclaim God’s Truth isn’t just for those in ministry. Being charged with forsaking the world’s ways to live for Christ and proclaiming Him and standing up for God’s Truth is NOT limited to those in ministry. It is the calling of EVERY Christ follower to live for Christ alone even at the cost of every ounce of popularity the world offers. Popularity in the world’s eyes isn’t even a possibility for true Christ followers, is it?
I’d rather be the biggest loser in the world’s eyes and spend forever with God in heaven than join the popular masses skipping down the broad highway to hell. What about you? Will you die to your self and live for Him?