I’m a firm believer of this quotation by Fyodor Dostoevsky: “It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man’s life is made up of nothing, but the habits he has accumulated during the first half. ”
Hence I enjoy working with youth.
In the month of March, a 19-year-old youth on school holiday came to volunteer with us in RBC Ministries International Operations. He has a keen interest in writing. Below is a devotional article he wrote:
witnessing to a persecuting world
read> 1 Peter 3:13–17
At every new class I attend, I make it a point to introduce my name followed by the fact that I’m a Christian. My hope is that my forthrightness will eventually allow me to share the gospel with my friends; yet, I know I open myself up for scrutiny. People watch and wait for that moment I falter just to put me in the spot. They laugh at my “blind” devotion to an invisible God. Sometimes I fear to share the gospel; I fear to be called a Christian.
How many of us can face ill treatment and see it as an opportunity to bear stronger witness for Christ?
As Peter wrote his first recorded letter, he knew that his audience was being severely persecuted. Many had retaliated negatively toward their oppressors; some even gave up the faith.
But Peter reminded them that there was great value in suffering for what was good because it pleased God (v.14).
Besides this, Peter instructed them to focus on worshiping Christ as Lord of their life, and to be ready to give accounts of their faith and hope in Christ when asked by anyone (v.15). In all things, to also keep a good conscience so that no one can find fault in them (v.16a) but see Christ through them (v.17).
In this world, we are bound to face persecution, but God promises that we would be “persecuted, but not forsaken” (2 Cor. 4:9a, NKJV).
In Jesus, we have our ultimate example. He was filled with compassion and love for His oppressors. Upon that cross, “[He] said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’ ”(Luke 23: 34a).
In the midst of persecution, remember that we have a Savior who is Lord over all. In Him, we need not fear. —Isaac Tan
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Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering (Isaiah 49:13).
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Has your life been exemplary to the gospel that you live? Will you continue to live out your Christian faith even in the midst of persecution?
Imagine what Isaac could become if he continues to write and entrench himself in God’s Word. The possibilities excite me.
pshdsa on April 20, 2009 at 1:48 am
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that precedes from the mouth of God. The trials the Lord allows in our lives, and the feelings of desertion that accompany them, can only be survived by constant feeding on the Word of God. The long deep dark night of the soul is a place where God is found perfecting our faith in our heart, so that our faith does not rest in feelings. Submitting oneself meekly to God in the midst of pain, spiritual and/or physical as unto a faithful creator, we find a deeper intimacy with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. The temptation will always be to give up. But where can we go? Thou Oh Lord have the Words of life. Thou oh Lord are our heart’s refuge. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
mike wittmer on April 21, 2009 at 5:28 pm
That is a devastating quote from Dostoevsky. A great reminder to not put off the change we need but to rely upon the Spirit to get started today.
ron17 on April 25, 2009 at 4:00 am
I think much of our later life is how we respond to those earlier habits. By God’s grace and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to use God’s word to build on the good habits and cast off the bad ones.