Day 31 - You shouldn't speak of...

Acts 5:40...They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.


In this passage of scripture we find the apostles being flogged for preaching in the name of Jesus. Ironically, they just had been arrested the previous day for the same thing! Unbeknownst to the guards and seemingly everyone else, they were freed during the night by an angel of God.


Throughout their ministries the apostles are stoned, whipped, and left for dead for preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. Fast-forward to 2010 and depending on what part of the world you are in this may or may not be the reality that you live in. Christians in China and parts of the Middle East face this harsh reality every day-- that their testimony can and will cost them their lives.


Are we that far from a similar reality here in the United States? Believe it or not this type of persecution always begins with a "You shouldn't speak of..." That declaration should have a familiar ring to it. Our children are already being told they cannot proclaim the name of Christ. They are being told they cannot pray to their God in school. In many school systems children proclaim Christ at the risk of suspension. But alarmingly on the other side of this equation children of other religions are being told to express themselves in any way they deem fit. They are allowed to express their religion through their attire and their writing.

But there is an even more important theme at work here. And if we aren’t careful we will miss it. The apostles were arrested and flogged the previous day for the same supposed criminal act of preaching in the name of Christ. That very night God sends an angel that frees the men and commands them to go and preach in the temple complex. The penalty was another flogging. Just as he opened the jail cells for the apostles, He will always open the door for you to share with your co-workers and family. And if that door is shut He will open another. This is obvious, but what we tend to miss is that while God always opened the door, He did not always spare the apostles from the floggings. And He may not spare you from the ridicule or the verbal persecution of your peers. But your reward is not here on earth, but being stored in heaven. Luke 15:7 – 10 tells us that the angels of heaven rejoice when a sinner repents. 1 of only 5 events that scripture tells us the angels of heaven rejoice for! IT’S THAT IMPORTANT TO GOD AND HEAVEN!

Go and share the good news of Christ! You have the attention of heaven! And never forget that persecution always starts with a "You shouldn't speak of.."– But it always ends with God making a way for "You to speak of.."