The scripture for today, September 23 (9/23), is Luke 9:23 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ “
There is another verse similar to this: II Timothy 3:12 ~ “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Have you been playing it safe? Have you been associating only with other Christians and thereby sheltering yourself from persecution? Have you been withholding the gospel from people who might be persecuted if they believe, even if they will be saved by following it?
Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). To do that, we must seek out the lost and try to save them, even when they do not think they are lost. It will end in persecution sometimes ~ you, them, or both. That’s a fact.
Let us not play it safe all the time. Jesus didn’t.