Haley knows how to save someone's physical and spiritual life. But will she use what she has learned to help save her friend, Jessica, or will she live in the safety of fear? It's a lesson about stepping forward in faith with the truth you believe.How About You?
Are you ever afraid of sharing what you believe because you're embarrassed about what they will think of you?
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Being afraid to speak out what you believe isn't new to today's culture. All throughout the Bible, God is constantly reminding his children to not be afraid of what is going to come. From Joshua (Joshua 1:9) to Jesus' own mother, Mary, (Luke 1:30) God is passionate about getting rid of fear and being bold.
One man who seemed to live without fear of moving forward in faith and speaking out for Jesus was the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul lists some of the things that he has suffered through because of his speaking out for the Lord.
We have been beaten, been put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food, he wrote. But through it all, he writes, We have faithfully preached the truth. Paul didn't let the literal beatings he received as a result of speaking out his heart keep him from preaching what he knew was true. He loved the people he spoke to, and couldn't keep it inside.
But this backlash that we see Paul talking about as a result of his saying what he believed to the world isn't fun to talk about. Haley was scared that Jessica wouldn't like her because of what she said, and the truth is, Jessica could have said something horribly mean and never talked to Haley again. Jesus doesn't promise easy routes when we purpose to follow him.
Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword, Jesus said in Matthew 10:34. Living for God, and sharing our faith in Jesus doesn't mean that it's going to be always easy to do. Look at the life of our Savior: He had to go to the cross because of what he shared. But the good news is, even if our friends get mad at us, or we even die as a result of sharing our faith, our Father in Heaven is up in Heaven, cheering us on every step of the way.
>em>If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, Jesus says in Matthew 10:32, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven. Let's start sharing in bold faith.