Opposition

Opposition.

Whenever we choose to put ourselves out there as Christians, it’s going to come.

There will be challengers of our faith.

Questioners of our hearts.

Comparisons.

And the strength of the attacks will increase a notch when we venture into Christian leadership.

That’s because we are a more of a threat to the enemy of our soul when we try to make a difference in the world for Christ.

Sometimes it’s enough to make you want to hide in your house and never come out.

It can make you feel discouraged,

Confused,

and brokenhearted.

But if you experience this, take heart! You are just walking the road that Jesus walked.

Throughout the gospel, Jesus’ integrity and authority were constantly challenged.

The intensity of the opposition was fierce in John 7 and 8 when there was division among the Jewish leaders and crowd as to who Jesus really was. Here is a sampling from the barrage of derogatory statements and questions:

“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted.

“Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

“The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come?”

The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

Question after question. Scathing statement after statement.

When God opened my eyes to this, I had such a heart for what Jesus endured.

He was constantly challenged when he knew what his mission was. He understood who he was and his Abba Father knew his heart.

If you’re in ministry, and feeling down because of criticism, remember, the Lord knows your heart and that’s who you have to please.

He is aware of your pure motives. He understands your desire to help people.

He equips you to face the opposition when it comes, and it may come from those who are closest to you.

It just goes with the territory of Christian leadership and is part of being a follower of Jesus who understands because he went there before us. Thank you Lord, that we can walk to road you walked. What a privilege!