The Black-Eyed Gospel
March 26
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of
love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
One of the elders of an inner-city church showed up sporting a black eye.
When asked how he got it, he stated, “I did not get it; I earned it!” and went on
to relate his story.
As he was on his way home the prior night, two young men jumped him
meaning to rob him. When they knocked him down, he could tell they were
amateurs. Moved by the power of the Holy Spirit, he began to chide them
for doing such a bungling job of it. He railed them, saying, “When I was in
this business, we didn’t just knock people down and make demands of them;
we knocked them out and took what we wanted!”
Seeing he had their attention, he began to share with them the Jesus who had changed his life. By the time he was done, they had heard the good news of the gospel. Although they couldn’t have said why, both young men thanked him for sharing, returned his cell phone, apologized, and left.
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I am not encouraging you to risk your life unless guided by the Holy Spirit! I
am encouraging you to take a stand against the wiles of the devil. Though not
everyone has a story like the elder in today’s scenario, we all have the ability to
refuse to be bullied by Satan.
Paul admonished Timothy not to bend to the enemy’s attack just because
he growls loud or brings something sensuous our way. We are not namby-
pamby, spineless children of a powerless god. We were bought at a price we
cannot comprehend. And the Father asks us to remember that when opposi-
tion comes our way. He has invested great power in us and asks us to discipline
ourselves in love. We shall be battered and bruised in this life. Wouldn’t it be
good if our suffering were attributed to the cause of Christ?
Prayer
“This world holds fears and temptation for us, Lord.
We need Your power to rise up in us when we face
opposition. Be near, O Lord, and show us how to stand
as children of the King! In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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