| From Pressure to Promise - article by Joel Hempel
There are a number of Scripture passages I find challenging. Among them are these: . . . Repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his [Jesus] name to all nations beginning in Jerusalem. Luke 24:47, Matthew 9:35-38 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1Peter 3:15 What’s my problem with these perfectly good passages? As Princeton Professor C. Clinton Black put it in an online article, They’re unnerving! They apply a lot of pressure to any Christian – like me, and I assume you – who wants to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. It’s one thing to let our actions speak for themselves. That’s challenging enough! It’s far more difficult to decide to step out in faith and be intentional witnesses with Gospel words – words that lift up Jesus as our Lord and Savior. You may have your own reasons for not speaking up when you have the opportunity to share the Gospel with someone God brings across your path, but for an introvert like me, I’d just as soon not say anything most of the time. Thankfully, from my introverted perspective, few of us are called to be missionaries and “proclaim his name to all nations.” But all of us are called into service as witnesses for Christ. Thank God that passages like the ones above not only apply pressure but also give a promise with the power of the Holy Spirit backing it up: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 Then, there is this incredible passage given originally to the apostles: When they arrest you, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you (Matthew 10:19-20 NIV). Unlike the original twelve disciples who were persecuted for proclaiming the Gospel, we thank God we live in a country with freedom of religion. But the threat of arrest still exists. Culture tries to arrest us with its anti-Christian philosophies and values. The fear of offending someone and being rejected, or the anxiety of not being ready with the most helpful words, threatens arrest. The discomfort of being counterculture and the threat of being locked up by our fears are real. Far more real, though, is this: In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). The Spirit of Christ has our back! Culture can threaten but cannot arrest the hearts of Jesus-followers who trust in God and his promises. We can be God’s intentional witnesses, His front line of offense. Let us earnestly pray for the Spirit of Christ to lead us to those open to hearing and seeing the Gospel, who is Jesus. | 
