Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to
councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You
will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them
and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you
up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to
you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it
is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a
father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to
be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all
for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to
another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities
of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 A
disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his
teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his
household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For
there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be
known.
I think of the privilege of working for one of the
greatest corporations in the world. (One of the companies with instant name
recognition and a logo that is recognizable to everyone.) As an employee of
such a powerful corporation, there is a sense of pride in the recognition
afforded by your association with such a company. People tend to respect you
for the fact you are part of something so great. Your company has a great
product, people love it and want it, and they see YOU as a part of all that.
It is a very meaningful association.
Now imagine being called to work for God. To serve the
Living Lord. The Creator of all things. His logo is the cross, and it is
instantly recognizable the world over. He is known for His goodness, and His
ability to bring peace and hope and joy. He is a healer, and He forgives all
sin. He provides eternal life in the kingdom of heaven for all who seek Him.
Can you imagine anything Greater or more wonderful to
work for? On behalf of? To be recognized with?
“Yes! A thousand times, YES! Give me one of those
stickers…one of those shirts…one of those coffee mugs that tell everyone I am
in the employ of God – employed in the fields of God! I am so blessed to have
been called by God Himself to be a part of His work on this earth!”
Yet, sadly, that is not normally the case. What we see
rather is a sort of sheepishness about serving God, as if there was a sense of
shame or embarrassment about what His incorporation has been established to
accomplish. And not only that, we see the world is generally against anything
God desires to accomplish – and that rather than being accepting of God’s will
and God’s work, people are hesitant.
Hesitant to the extent God’s employees are persecuted the
world over. God Himself is being rejected by those He has Himself created. It
is very strange if you think about it. But there is one thing for sure, and
that is that you cannot work for God undercover, or as a secret agent. As His
employee, you will be known by Who you work for.
-Pastor Bill
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