Bearing His Reproach – Toni Babcock
“Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:13-14 KJV)
Bearing the reproach of Jesus runs totally contrary to our own self-interest. The fact is, in the flesh we want to be liked and accepted, and we hate rejection; so we tend to avoid speaking the truth in those difficult times when we are called to speak the truth. It’s so much easier to avoid the uncomfortable reality that God might be putting our faith to the fire. Instead, we tend to shrink from the flame, hit the panic button and shut down, or simply hide our heads in the sand and hope everything will all work out in the end - even to the detriment of others. Have you ever seen someone’s life go off the rails, simply because nobody said anything, or wanted to get involved?
As hard as it may be for us to comprehend, God calls His people to bear the reproach of Jesus - to be rejected, dismissed, and even hated for His name’s sake. It should be a small price to pay considering what is at stake. Is someone in your life on a self-destructive path? Speak the truth in love. With each new day, God is giving you the opportunity to influence them for Christ.
The Apostle James wrote, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)
Toni M. Babcock is author of The Stone Writer, and Reflections in Light of the Gospel of Jesus. Contact |
