Living for God. No one ever said it would be easy. But God has called us to do it. And being worthy of our calling is what we're gonna be talking about in this group this week and on into this year. God has given us a Great Commission, to go unto all nations and make disciples of all people. He has called us to be a city on a hill, set apart and holy. Matthew 5:16 tells us to let our lights so shine before men that they might see our good deeds and praise the Father in heaven. He has called us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
So why aren't we doing that? What's the matter with us? Why is it so difficult for us to let the world know about our best friend? Why can't we share with them the greatest message they'll ever hear? Why can't we show them the love that they're so desperately searching for? I'll give you the reason with no apologies-we're chicken. We're afraid of being rejected. But I tell you, if you're worried about what people think about you here more then what God thinks of you, then you're treading on thin ice-you're walking outside of God's will. A true follower of Christ won't care if he is rejected, he will pledge allegiance to his Leader anyway. It's time we who claim to be Christians started doing that.
We've got a whole school year ahead of us, but look at it positively--180 days to serve Christ and bring His message to everyone we meet. And this school is the perfect audience. It's unlikely that at any other time during our lives will we see so many people right beside us hurting so badly. They see you as peers, and they know you're going through a lot of the same things as they are. Because of this, they are willing to listen to us, most of the time. Certainly, there are times when we'll be rejected and ridiculed. But was Jesus Christ embraced with open arms by His society? No, they nailed Him to a tree for His troubles. We'll face persecution, but as the book of James tells us, we need to count it all joy when we're facing trial. Through that, our faith will grow stronger.
I encourage each of you today, and throughout the school year, to not fear rejection. Christ doesn't need chickens, he needs strong Christians who are willing to make His message heard with power and, at the same time, mercy and love. So quit being chicken; and proclaim God's love to someone who needs it today.