The Mission of God Opposed

The Mission of God in this world is not unopposed - it is fiercely resisted by the Kingdom of darkness with the result that those who are called to bear witness to the truth are also called to suffer for the truth. The trial of suffering because of our faithful witness to Christ may be more difficult than we had ever expected but the power to endure and the joy of being counted worthy to suffer for His name are both assured. Suffering is not without great purpose: shaping us for glory, bringing us into the fellowship of Christ's suffering and serving to advance the gospel. In all these ways opposition to the truth always works for the good of His people and for the glory of His name. It is the Spirit who makes us bold to proclaim when it would be easier to withdraw from the firing line even as the love of Christ constrains us to hold out this word of life to a world without God and without hope.