I think we all have a tendency to find comfort in things of this world, the things we can see here and now, versus what happens to us once we pass away.  The thought of eternity in general is kind of uncomfortable.  It’s uncomfortable because it’s unknown and we don’t know with 100% certainty what happens to us after we die, but that’s where our faith comes into play.  As Christians, we are choosing to have faith in Jesus and the promises he’s made to us.  We are choosing to believe that Jesus did in fact die for our sins, rise again after three days and defeat death on behalf of our sin.  We are choosing to believe in the resurrection and the promise of salvation and our forever home in heaven.  We are choosing to live for eternity and not for the present pleasures of the world.  In choosing eternity over the world, we will have to choose discomfort over comfort at times.  We will have to choose to follow the Lord’s way in situations that would be easier to choose the world’s way.  “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58  Unlike many of the jobs we have here on earth, our job for God holds eternal promises.  I absolutely love what Paul says in this verse because it gives meaning to the work we are doing for God’s kingdom.  Paul reminds us that while the world may think we are crazy for preaching Jesus wherever we go, this work is the most important work.  Our work is not being done in vain, but instead he is affirming us to stand firm and give ourselves fully to the work we are doing for God.  

In Matt Chandler’s book, The Explicit Gospel, he sums up what Paul says very well.  “Because we understand that this life is perishable and these bodies are seeds, we live and see the world differently.  We’re much more willing to endure discomfort because we know that this broken life is momentary.  We see this sentiment in Paul’s writing all the time, as he describes current suffering as “light momentary affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17), and then he goes on to list things that are far beyond light but are nevertheless momentary.  When we see life in here and now as momentary and our physical bodies as seeds that must go in the ground to die as a precursor to being raised with the risen Christ, a boldness for Jesus results that is absent when we see our lives in terms of “This life is all there is, so I’ve got to maximize my pleasure and comfort and joy right now, and I need to experience all the life I can now.” (The Explicit Gospel, pg. 169-170) While our boldness for Jesus might offend some people, annoy others, or simply mean nothing to others, we know that there is far greater meaning to being bold for Jesus.  Our boldness for Jesus can help save others.  Your boldness for Jesus has eternal impact, not just momentary actions.  We tend to forget that our current actions can have eternal impact. 

Unfortunately, a lot of people choose silence about the Gospel because it’s easier that way.  It’s easier to not offend someone or annoy them about something when you simply just stay quiet on an issue.  There have been many times in my life that I’ve been told I’m “too bold” about something or that “I’m right, but I might turn people away by sharing”.  It’s true, we can all get passionate about things and turn people off about a certain situation, but what if we can actually turn someone toward something?  What if our passion and actions actually make someone want to know who Jesus is, just by observing your commitment towards him?  Either way, I don’t think Jesus calls us to be quiet when it comes to his ministry.  “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4:29 Paul is reminding us that we, as servants for Christ, need to speak God’s word with great boldness. Society, the leaders of this world, the influencers of this world may not agree with God’s word, but it is our responsibility, as servants for Christ, to speak about the Gospel boldly and often.  One of my favorite verses in Romans is when Paul says “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15.   What Paul says in the above verses is exactly what we need to keep engraved in our brains when we are loving our neighbors, shopping at the grocery store, and meeting a random person on the street.  We assume everyone knows who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, what the Gospels say… but when you grow deeper with other people, you learn that a lot of people have an idea of who they think Jesus is, but really don’t understand a thing about Him.  I can attest to this.  

I had an idea of what Christianity was and to be quite honest, I thought a lot of it was hypocrisy.  I grew up knowing Christians who would go to youth groups on Wednesday evenings only to get drunk and party on Friday and Saturdays.  I thought Christians believed in God, but I didn’t know who that God was or what he did for us.  I thought I knew who Christians were and what they believed, but I actually had no idea.  Quick reminder that your view of a certain group of people and their beliefs aren’t always the most accurate one.  As humans, we are full of sin and a lot of mistakes, something I didn’t fully understand growing up.  As a result of the sin in the world, we are bound to make mistakes and give into fleshly desires… don’t let someone else’s sin taint your belief in Jesus.  That’s why we need Jesus, right?  He knew we’d fall into sin and are prone to committing it, which is why he died for our sins so we could have eternal life, don’t forget that.  I’ll come back to more of this later, but the point I’m trying to make is that we think most people know who Jesus is and what he did for us, but that’s simply not true.  Many people have this idea of who they think Jesus is, but it’s actually a worldly view of Jesus or their own experience with other Christians that have made up their view of what Christianity is… don’t let that be the only knowledge someone has of God.  In Romans 10:14-15, Paul is challenging us with this question of “How can they call on the one who they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” People need to hear, people need to see the actions of those who love Christ represent him well.  People need to truly hear and understand what Jesus did for them, so they too can experience a life with Jesus.  I actively choose to bring up Jesus any chance I can.  I actively choose to insert Jesus’ name wherever I see fit in a conversation because what if someone hasn’t heard?  What if I’m the vessel to their new self?  Yes, this can be uncomfortable, but how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?  It can be uncomfortable to make someone else uncomfortable, but I am willing to choose a few short moments of discomfort if it means salvation for someone else.  

As Jesus asks us to be uncomfortable for him, he’s simultaneously asking us to choose him over the world.  He’s asking us to choose His way versus culture’s way.  He’s asking us to let go of our idols here on earth and follow him.  In doing so, the world may turn against you… and in doing so, Satan’s army of demons will have a target on your back, does that make you uncomfortable?  Remember that as we choose God’s way over the worlds, the enemy will have even more reason to pursue you, so you must be on guard.