| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Be the church” Our Bible verse for today: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Reject the easy path of victimhood” Too many Christians today have adopted an attitude of victimhood. Worse, many are angry in their victimhood. They are convinced that Christians are being treated unfairly, they’re mad about it, and they’re eager to proclaim it. It is true that there is a good deal of opposition to Biblical values in our society today. And Christians are sometimes treated unfairly. But did Jesus teach us to act like victims – either as individuals or as the church? Instead, didn’t He warn us that if they persecuted Him, they will persecute us too (John 15:20)? And didn’t He also tell us to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)? And didn’t He assure us that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not stop Him from doing so (Matthew 16:18)? And haven’t we been commanded by God to be bold and courageous, not weak or fearful (Joshua 1:9)? But the easy path of victimhood can be appealing. We can use it to elicit sympathy, and we can also use it as an excuse to cover over our own failures. As Christians we are supposed to be on-mission in the world with the Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit is alive and well within us. The Lord has empowered us to do what He has called us to do. But many Christians are not on-mission with Jesus. Many are too busy lamenting their victim status instead of just shrugging off the difficulties and opposition, and pushing forward with the kingdom-building work of our Lord. As the Church, we need to stop doing that. The easy path of victimhood is often used as a useful cover for not being about our Father’s business. It’s much easier to sit around complaining about how unfair our world is than it is to get out there and feed the hungry, house the homeless, care for widows and orphans, and actually proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. Talk is easy and cheap. Actual ministry requires effort and sacrifice. (There will be more about this in the sermon at Oak Hill Baptist Church this Sunday. See the YouTube link below to join us online). As we learned in previous devotionals in this series, the proper attitude for us is one of calm, reasoned, assured confidence, as we boldly go forward into this messy world of ours furthering the cause of Christ by serving people and sharing the Gospel. Whenever you begin to feel like a victim who is being treated unfairly, and you are tempted to give in to despair and anger, or disdain for your opponents, pause, and do what the Psalmist did in Psalm 121:1 – lift up your eyes to the Lord and remember where your help comes from. Then shrug off the difficulties and get on with your Father’s business in this world. I urge you to reject the easy path of victimhood. We are not victims. We are children of the King conducting His business in this world. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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