BRING IT ON!

January 21, 2009

Read Matthew 5:11-12 ("Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.")

Everyone who claims the name of Christ will at sometime endure insult and sometimes injury. Faith becomes a source of blessing for such times. Marisa Ward says, “God made me comfortable with myself. He will always love me.” This is a great assurance for a Christian.

Reverend Ruben Duran, Director for Development of New congregations for the ELCA reported to a Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly that there were communities in the U.S. where land developers were resistant to selling land to the church for new buildings; governments that were using high impact fees, assessments, and building codes to discourage churches from building; some community organizations opposing new congregations from being developed in their cities. The devil, said Rev. Duran, uses every possible way to keep the good news from the people. But he said, “Satan and those who oppose the church don’t know who they are dealing with. They don’t know that with God anything is possible. So, bring it on. We are ready for anything.”

You have to know whose you are and who you are in Christ to face the insults and rejection of the world. You have to believe in God’s love for you to continue doing his will in spite of the obstacles and resistance you will meet. You have to believe your faith is worth the insults, being made fun of, and even persecuted by those who don’t believe.

We are encouraged by the Word of God that tells us how people treated God’s prophets and even his own Son in the past. Our assurance is that God rewards the faithful. Jesus tells us about the banquet where all God’s children will gather together in the Kingdom to rejoice and celebrate the victory. The feast awaits and those who are comfortable with what God has made them. They are ready for everything. So bring it on. Faith makes us ready for anything.

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymn # 638)

Thank your Marisa for helping us remember the assurance and importance of faith with your expression of faith and the Bible verse you chose for your confirmation.