"Who do men say I am?"
Do you seek to be thought wise by men? Let me say that another way; Do you fear looking foolish? What is more important, the judgement of men or the judgement of GOD? We are slow to respond to GOD's call, after all... "What will others think?" We don't witness to unsaved friends and family, because they don't want to hear it. We don't stand up against false doctrine in church, because it would not be proper. We don't stand against sin, because we don't want to be seen as 'judgemental'. We don't answer the call to serve, because we will look foolish. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD !!!
The Apostle Paul said "(1 Cor 3:18 KJV) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." (1 Cor 3:18-20 KJV) And again he said "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor 2:14 KJV)
In the eyes of this fallen world WE ARE FOOLS. They can not see what we see, or know what we know. They are lost. Remember? We are the light, we are the ones who know the Way. So why do we seek the advice and consent of the world? We run after the wisdom and respect of this world as if it were the light. To quote our Lord "But if your light be darkness..." Turn from the ways of the world, that way leads to destruction. If we will not step out in our faith and follow the Lord, regardless of the cost, then the lost are left without a witness. We are hiding the light within us in order to 'fit in'. And by doing so we condemn those around us. How will they see, without a guide, how will they see, without the light?
Jesus never promised us an easy life, actually just the opposite. He said "Take up your cross and follow me." The world persecuted the prophets of old, they persecuted our Lord, they have persecuted the Saints, and they will persecute you. If you are highly respected and 'doing well' in this life, you are in big trouble. That is not the Way of our Lord. Many people throughout history have found ways to justify 'the good life', but it is still a lie of satan. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Heb 12:6-8 KJV)
i can here the cries now... "What about 'blessings'?" We all want a 'blessing' from our Lord. After all, He promised us Life and that 'more abundantly'. OK, go up a couple of paragraphs and read it again. The blessings of our Lord are not the 'blessings' of this world. We are not of this world. Why do we seek blessings of physical things that will burn? We seek spiritual blessing, and spiritual life. Paul said to count it all Joy, no matter the affliction. All is in the will of our GOD. Is there any greater than HE, that can deny HIS Will? If we trust GOD we must trust His promise. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom 8:28-29 KJV)
How are we to be conformed to the image of our Lord, "the suffering servant", if we live for blessing and curse every trail? Our Lord went as a sheep to the slaughter. Praise GOD when the enemy attacks you fiercely. If he wasn't attacking you then you would have cause to worry. The world loves its own and hates GOD. It heaps blessings and reward on its children and persecutes the children of GOD.
So do we roll over and play dead, buffeted by the fiery winds of the dragon? GOD forbid! WE STAND.
We stand on faith, unbending to the tumult around us. We stand, without fear of that which destroys the flesh but seeking that which gives life to our spirit. We stand, our eyes on Jesus, even in the valley of destruction. We stand, knowing our Father is just and faithful to give us every good gift, even when we can not see through the tears. We stand, obedient to HIS Will, denying our own, and bearing our cross with meekness. We stand, knowing it is not by might but by His Spirit that we endure. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph 6:13 KJV)