The Cost of the Gospel

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

These words remind believers that the world will not always welcome the truth of the Gospel. As society increasingly rejects biblical values, Christians may face growing hostility, censorship, and pressure to remain silent about their faith. We have witnessed troubling examples of this opposition: in China, Christian pastors and church leaders have been detained and worship gatherings raided; in Seattle, Pastor Matthew Meinecke was arrested in 2022 while reading the Bible publicly, a case that was resolved in his favor in 2024; and in St. Paul, Minnesota, protesters disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in January 2026. These events remind us that religious freedom must never be taken for granted. Although we should not assume that every disagreement with Christianity means persecution or that the Gospel is outlawed everywhere, Scripture calls us to remain faithful even when following Christ comes at a cost. Our mission is not to win the world's approval but to proclaim Jesus Christ in love, stand firmly upon God's Word, and persevere in faith.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, strengthen me to stand boldly for Jesus Christ in a world that increasingly rejects Your truth. Give me courage when I face opposition, wisdom to speak Your Word with grace, and compassion for those who do not know You. Protect believers who face persecution, comfort those imprisoned for their faith, and give Your Church the strength to remain faithful until the end. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

Tom