The scripture for today, April 17, is Mark 4:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away.”
We may be mentally prepared for persecution out in the world. But what about persecution among our friends who we attend worship with all the time? They can turn on us too. Perhaps we have discovered a new truth and we’re trying to get members of our congregation to believe it. If they get the feeling we are trying to prove them wrong and make them look bad, they will turn on us much like people do a “whistle blower” in the business world.
On whose side will you stand? Your friends so you can continue to be friends with them, or God’s? It’s easy to let things slide and pretend that new truth no longer exists so we can keep our friends. How deep are our roots? Who shall we worship? Our friends or God? What is more important? Our friends or our eternity?