Mark 8:36-38 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
I don’t know if this verse has ever hit me as profoundly as it did in my most recent reading of it. I have definitely had experiences of being mocked and ridiculed for believing and preaching God‘s word. That certainly isn’t a pleasant thing to go through, but like many others before me, I survived it 😊.
Things have changed a great deal in recent years. The stakes have gotten higher and as people whose whole lives and value systems have been built upon the word of God, it may cost us more than we ever expected.
There have been times in recent years that we have seen surprising concessions by leaders in the body of Christ as things that God has always called sin have become accepted and applauded not only in secular society, but also within portions of the “church”. Rather than risk seeming unloving, the clear teachings of the Bible have been watered down so that we don’t offend anyone. Some pastors have refused to take a stand for righteousness because if they do they may face retaliation. Tolerance is the new buzzword, except of course when it regards matters of faith. You can believe anything you like in your heart, but if the wrong person hears it coming out of your mouth you could find yourself in serious trouble. The pressure to conform and be silent comes from every direction.
Don’t do it!
The word of God is still true and it is still the power of God unto salvation. Jesus never told us that everybody would love us or His message through us. In fact He told us just the opposite.
John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
I want to encourage you today to stand boldly for Jesus and don’t be ashamed of His words. They are spirit and they are life.
He is my Delight 
Amen. I will stand for Jesus!
Yes, I too have faced retaliation for sharing my faith in Christ, and it hurt, but, like you, I survived. Blessings