Is Jesus Safe?

   Today Christians have this mindset of I want to be safe. But we are promised we will not be safe (Blessings Blog). John 15:17-18 says "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
   We will be hated because we stand for good. We are sinful creatures and we want to follow our own desires. But, once we accept Christ, it is no longer alright for us to follow those desires. Because of that, people will not like us because we stand for a code of morals. That is why we will not be safe.
   In fact, even God is not safe. "'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver; 'don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you'" (Chronicles of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe). Of course that quote is from a book but it still applies. God has never changed; he's just changed the way he deals with us. He is still the God of wrath from the Old Testament. He still hates sin and cannot be with it, which is why he's not safe if you are a sinner. But, if you accept Christ, you are his child. He will love you no matter what you do.
   How can we stop trying to be safe? We need to get out of our comfort zones. In Matthew 5:10-12 we are told: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'" The prophets were persecuted, the disciples were persecuted, and even Jesus was persecuted. Why is it that we think we won't be persecuted?
   We are going to be persecuted. Every Christian needs to answer this question honestly: "If it was illegal to be a Christian, would you still profess to be a Christian?" If you said "no," I encourage you to get into the Word. Pray and deepen your relationship with God. Ask yourself, "why am I a Christian?"  When you answer that question remember that this life is temporary. God's kingdom is forever.
   So, when you are persecuted what will you say? Will you choose to cling to Christ?

   John 15:17-18 and Matthew 10:34-39

   Image from here.