Are You Willing

James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT)

Years ago I studied Karate and one of the first things we learned was to walk away from conflict. We were taught that the last thing to do was to use Karate to inflict pain. It was only to be used to defend oneself when all other methods were exhausted.

James speaks about troubles coming our way. In Mathew, Jesus speaks to persecution.

Matthew 5:10
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (NLT)

This does not sound like running away from conflict. This tells me we are expected to defend our faith. We are to step up to the plate whatever the cost.

Are we willing to be persecuted? Do we step out and face the enemy or run and hide the truth?

Hide the truth? Yes, by not stepping out and sharing the Gospel message with others we are hiding the truth from those children of God needing to hear it.

"Father God, give me the courage to stand and tell others about Jesus Christ and what He has done for my life. And the wisdom to speak the words they need to hear so they too may know the Truth that will set them free. Amen."