PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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“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.” Matthew 5:11-12(NIV11)
As we contemplate the impact of recent events targeting Christians with violence, it is important for the believer to seek a biblical perspective before we are swayed by the responses of the wider, darkened world.
The Lord Jesus Christ sought to prepare his people to live as people of light surrounded by darkness. He called his people to step into a world of rot and live as the preserving salt. He reminded his followers that they were the light of the world and that this light could not be hidden.
Lash Out
Jesus Christ knew that the darkness of this world would lash out at those who reflected the light of Christ. Those who seek to conduct themselves in the dark will often be angry with those whose light exposes their true lostness and depravity.
None of what Jesus Christ taught his church in regard to our response to evil, in any way excused evil or ignored the need for justice. But the Lord made sure his people knew that the mission of the true church would bring the Body of Christ into contact with the worst of whatever society or government in which the people of God operate.
In the passage that follows, we can hear another teaching on the subject of the Christian response to living in a dark and dying world:
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
(1 Peter 3:13-17 NIV11)
The point I want to take away from this teaching today is that no matter what others do around me, I am called to represent Christ by doing what is right, no matter how that goodness is received. Our calling to be light in the darkness does not change depending on the response of the darkness.
Keep shining for Christ.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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