You Are Representing Him

The blog below was written by Ray Ortlund (questions by me) and can be found at :
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/11/23/you-are-representing-him/

 


Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.  Luke 6:26
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account . . . for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  Matthew 5:11-12
The Bible warns us against “an unhealthy craving for controversy” (1 Timothy 6:4) and guides us toward “the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:3).  That is clear, and wonderful.  But a glad hyper-focus on Christ might not keep you out of controversy.  It might take you there.
When Jesus said, “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you,” he didn’t mean it’s wrong to be popular.  He did mean it’s wrong not to be prophetic.  His “Woe” falls on those who turn their backs on the true demands of the gospel rather than turn their backs on the false demands of people.
I wish I could say that if you lift up Christ in a positive, biblical way, everyone will love you.  But sadly, some will oppose you, because their hearts are captured by other passions.  They may even be captured by good but secondary biblical themes.  But if you maintain the primacy of Christ himself and submit all else to Christ, some people will not understand you, they will have “concerns” about you, they may even forsake you.  They will point to your weaknesses, which are real, and you will learn from your critics.  But your weaknesses are beside the point.  The point is the lordship of Christ alone.  He is the controversy.  You are representing him.
When the Lord leads you into this difficulty, you will suffer.  But remember, he is saving you from the “Woe” of Luke 6:26 and giving you the “Blessed” of Matthew 5:11-12.  Whatever others may say, Jesus speaks well of you.


Think About It:
1) Try to remember a time when you wanted to speak about Jesus but you knew it would be unpopular, what did that moment feel like?

2) Being a Christian witness is difficult in the world, especially because we are all fallen and are no better than the people who we are ministering to. What are some of the factors in your own life which have held you back from effective witnessing?

3) Although many of us may stand up for Christ and the Bible, how well do you feel about your ability to speak about him/it to others? Are there resources which you would like?