Don't let anyone ever tell you that Christianity is easy. I think I should rephrase that...true Christianity is not easy. Just because you are a Christian does not mean that everybody will be excited about it. Christians that live in the United States, especially those within the "Bible Belt," do not really have much of an appreciation for the type of persecution that the early disciples faced, but persecution comes standard with every model of Christianity and that is the way it will always be. We understand that when we are born again, a new creature is created in Christ Jesus and the very Spirit of God takes up residence in our hearts. Satan has always tried to get at God and he will continue to do so until his time comes to an end. As long as we have God within us, we will always be in the middle of Satan's attacks towards Him. Lost people are not persecuted by Satan because he does not have a reason to persecute them. This is also why Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 that those who are persecuted for "His sake" are blessed and that they should rejoice, because they have something to be persecuted about.

    In Matthew 10, Jesus is about to send forth his disciples to preach, heal, and perform miracles and he tells them up front that they are as sheep going out amongst wolves and this is because of whom they represent. He said that they would be hated because of His "name's sake." The response to their preaching and their doctrine would certainly not be a favorable one. So why would they do such a thing for such a high price?

    Well, it isn't about the amens. When I first started preaching the Word, I received a highly favorable response within my own church community. People were shouting, laying in the floor even, in response to the announcement that I had been called to preach. But I did not run from the Lord's call to preach for a few years because I was scared to hear people shout. I ran because I knew that there was no retirement from doing the work of the Lord. I also knew that there was a greater deal of accountability and responsibility placed on those who carry the gospel because where much is given, much shall also be required. To be honest, I was scared to preach. Yet, God provided me with the strength to overcome that. I started preaching and I knew that I would not always be the "new young preacher." Sure enough, the shouts wore off and the amens oftentimes fall silent. Sometimes, people even look at me as if I were wearing a weird looking mask when I preach and I have to remind them that its just my face.
   
    One time I preached at a church and two people were there: the pastor and his wife. The pastor was the song leader and his wife was the piano player, so you tell me, should I have given an invitation song? Well, I did, but no one came forward. I like to call that experience "Where Two or Three are Gathered in His Name...Literally."

    Proclaiming the gospel is all about getting the gospel out. It is not about the response; it is all about the message. To be honest, I could probably write a book about this topic but this is a devotional and I will stop. I will finish with saying that Christians are called to proclaim the gospel with their entire life. The majority of the people in your life will not accept it, but in reality, you do not need their acceptance. Why would the disciples proclaim the name of Christ to a world that would hate them for it? Because they loved the Lord and when He said "Go," they went. I pray that you will always follow Christ and go wherever He sends you. Its not about the amens, but it is all about Him.