Witness in the face of Persecution: Learning to shake the dust off your feet.

Your Life is a witness whether you want it to be or not; so focus on being the real deal.

When it comes to witnessing, you don’t have to go around trying to prove yourself like some used car salesman. Nobody would believe what you have to say about yourself anyway. Most people expect someone to make themselves out to be bigger than they really are. So expect people to discount everything you say. Trying to control what people think about you will only make you look insecure and weak. Actions always speak louder than words anyway. Everyone knows that a tree is recognized by it’s fruit. We always make assessments of you based on what we see. So refrain from tooting your own horn. No one should think more of you anyway than what they see in you. Pleasing men to win their approval never won anyone respect either. Saying it like it is has always won a person a great deal more respect in the end. Putting forward the truth plainly will always commend yourself to the hearts and minds of people; whether they admit to it or not. So your focus should always be on becoming the right person. Make your character right and everything else will fall into place. Learn to follow Christ and He will make you a fisher of men. As your life become right and blessed, believe me people will begin to take notice. People with a fiery passion for their God naturally become a light to the world.

Why Persecution and Blessing always go hand in Hand.

Everyone wants to live a blessed life, but few people realize there are always consequences to such blessings. Persecution always accompanies God’s blessing. When you begin to follow the Lord and He abundantly blesses your life, other people will begin to take notice. God wants everyone to know how much a person can be blessed by following Him; God’s blessing in your life is a reflection on Him. So He will make an example of you that He might glorify Himself. In this manner, your life will naturally become a witness to the people around you. Don’t expect everyone to clap when God has blessed you tremendously. Many people live a miserable life in this world and misery often loves company. Seeing your life blessed can often be a salt in their wounds. Some may respond positively to such conviction and change their life for the better. Others will not respond so well and will attack you for the conviction your life brings. As long as jealousy and envy permeate the sinful world, persecution and blessing will always go hand in hand. As long as you stay defeated and an insignificant nobody, people will have little regard for you. When you begin to live the victorious life, people will certainly take notice. Jesus reminds his followers to always rejoice when being persecuted because their reward is great; knowing one’s persecutors are motivated by envy may change your attitude about everything. It will make you appreciate your blessed position. It will also help you develop sympathy for your detractors- despite the pain they might inflict.

When it comes to trouble from the opposition, learn to shake the dust off your feet.

Sometimes believers make mountains out of mole hills. It is not the end of the world, just because someone or something troubles you. God may allow us to be hard pressed, but we are never crushed. We may be perplexed, but we need not despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. God may allow us to be cast down but we remain unconquered. Christians need to learn how to shake the dust off their feet as Jesus said. Christ said you would have tribulation in this world, but rest easy your God has overcome the world. Do not let a little trouble from the opposition shake you and let you lose your crown. Overcome your fear and you will experience a high like you have never experienced before. People who face their fear and let it die often feel more exhilarated and alive than ever before. God said they would receive the crown of life when they endure to the end. The momentary afflictions will not compare with the glory to be revealed in us. Learning not to fret the small stuff makes this transition smooth.

The World needs witnesses for Christ whether they want them or not.

Persecution in a sense separates the spiritual men from the boys. Anyone who loves his family more than God is not worthy of him. Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow him, is not worthy of him. God will often use the occasion of persecution to make such a separation. Those who pass the test will be given a white robe and a crown of life. They have proven their righteousness by their faithfulness to God and their testimony even in the hard times. Real love does not just stick around when times are good. Such authentic love often goes undemonstrated except in the bad times. Why did so many Christian martyrs in history have to die? Their death was not in vain. Their courage and fortitude in the face of death left us who remain a testimony. What did they know that made them so fearless? They knew their God on a level that all of us need to know Him. Their legacy becomes a lesson for us all. It is for our benefit that they endured these things. The World needs witnesses like that whether they want them or not. Like them, be determined to take others with you to Heaven.