Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13
Paul had been in Caesarea for a time and was ready to leave and go to Jerusalem. Several people warned him that he would be bound up there. Paul said that he was ready to not only be bound, but also die in Jerusalem if needed.
Very few people are really willing to do something, knowing that they will most likely go to jail for it, unless they are a hardened criminal. They do not want to go to jail for doing something good, and usually will avoid it at all costs.
This is not to say how much more they will avoid it, if it may cost their life. Even fewer people want to die for doing something good.
Although most people do not want to go to jail for something good, there are many believers who state that they would be willing to go to jail for Jesus. They state that they are not afraid of anything.
Yet, a lot of those very same people do not go out and be a true witness for Jesus every day. They close their eyes and ears to those in real need. They do not put themselves on the line for getting the gospel message out to people. When they are in line at the checkout counter, they are staring at their phones, rather than talking to the next person about Jesus. Or they are in too much of a hurry to give a helping hand of love to someone in need. They worry about their job position to tell someone about Jesus at their workplace.
If people are not willing to be hated a little, or risk their job, or be a little late in order to tell someone about Jesus, they will not be willing to go to jail or die for Jesus when the time comes.
Take a look at your life and see how much you are willing to do in order to get the message of Jesus to the people around you. How often do you take advantage of every situation to tell someone about Jesus?
Do you bypass opportunities out of fear? Or do you grab them?
How much are you willing to do to tell others about Jesus?
I pray today that God will give you boldness to tell others about Jesus; that you will not fear what may happen as you talk about Jesus; and that many will know Jesus because of you.
I concur. Made meaning.
Thank you.