If arrested for practicing Christianity, what will be your defense? (Conclusion)

Your defense for practicing Christianity.
In Acts 25 -26 we read how Paul boldly defended his faith before Porcius Festus, King Agrippa and Felix. Once in Rome, Paul spends two years under house arrest, chained to a guard, but he is finally in the city where he had longed to be for years (Romans 15:23). And while there he has the opportunity to write the epistles Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Persecution many-times is a unique opportunity to bring out the greatness in you.

The way to succeed in trials is explained in 1 Peter 1:6-7: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Christianity is not all about preaching the Word of God only where you are celebrated but spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. Being able to stand strong in the face of persecution for your belief and faith in God. In the book of Acts 26:28; Agrippa replied to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" However, Paul did not relent in his persuasion. Paul spoke with so much boldness as though he was not afraid of death because he knew who he belongs to. He was indeed happy to be a Christian and boasted of his belief in God.

Many times we are ashamed of our religion when faced with the so called prestigious men, we respect personality above truth because we need their applause just like Porcius Festus. He was to Paul what Pontius Pilate was to Jesus. He valued peace with the Jews more than justice and, despite determining his prisoner was innocent, sent him to judgment. In his quest for political control, Festus dismissed Paul’s situation as a “dispute . . . about their own religion” (Acts 25:19). 

Do not be discourage when faced with trials. Trials and tribulations come with both a purpose and a reward. "Consider it all joy, my brethren,when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. . . . Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:2-4,12).

Brethren, "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand, stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" -  Ephesians 6:13 -15 

I love Jesus and am proud to be identified with Him. I am a Christian because Jesus took upon Himself what belongs to us so that we could receive what belongs to Him. Other religions do not put their faith in their prophets but Christianity is the only religion where my Saviour, Jesus, gave His life for me, to take my life from me in order that He may live His life in me. Other reasons are as follows:

1. God does not sleep:
When you accept Christ the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you. The Holy Spirit in the inside of you never sleeps or slumber. Now false gods may sleep, in that they do not answer or respond to people. Remember the story of Elijah? He challenged the priests of Baal and they all gathered together to see which god would answer by sending fire to consume the offerings. But when the priests of Baal called out to Baal nothing happened. And so Elijah taunted them saying of Baal – “Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened” – 1 Kings 18:27. But God, our Divine insomnia is always awake. Mummy and daddy will fall asleep because they are weak and vulnerable, He is always awake. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4). He watches over me and all of us. He comforts me when there is no one to lean on to. He is closer than a brother, He warns me of any danger and advises me before I make every decision. One in Christ is a majority. His very nature overcomes my weakness. He understands when no one does and he fills every emptiness. He shares a love so beautiful,that a true christian cannot be ashamed to speak of His goodness.

2. Jesus gives peace
The coming together of Father and Son into your spirit brings a certain kind of peace that the world cannot give you. Anyone can give up on you but the assurance that you are the Apple of God's eye no matter what happens, brings great joy and peace that no one can take away from you. It is the greatest power that over comes depression. Isaiah 49:16 says we have been engraved in the palm of His Hands. No one can snatch me away from Him because I have been permanently tattooed on the palm of God's Hands. Isn't it interesting that there was a huge storm and everyone in the boat panicked but Jesus was sleeping (Mark 4:38), he had confidence in His Father. The Bible says the sleep of a believer will be sweet and peaceful because he knows the Lord is with him (Proverbs 3:24; Psalm 4:8). This is why Jesus, when He was awakened, rebuked the disciples with the question “Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Jesus’ deity  can make the “winds and water obey” (Luke 8:25). Jesus rescued the apostles from the storm, He is also able to rescue us from the storms of everyday life: sickness, job loss, marriage problems, and even the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55).
 
3. Grace and Mercy
I am Christian because the grace of God helps me overcome temptations and empowers me to live a holy life. Grace is a license to overcome sin. Titus 2:11-15 (NIV) - "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good".

Apostle Paul is a typical example of the grace and mercy of God. He persecuted Christians and gave approval for Stephen to be killed but its a great mystery that the Lord appeared to him and He became an evangelist. Christianity can transform a thief today to an evangelist and a prostitute to a deceit lady. The mercy of the Lord cannot be measured, it out numbers the sand on the sea shore. We are a mystery of Christ being revealed.

It should be remembered at Jesus’ crucifixion, two thieves were crucified beside Him (Luke 23:33–43. But one of the thieves responded in faith to the message of salvation and was taken to paradise that very day. Beloved, no matter how extreme our offense may be and no matter what people think about us, it is never too late to repent, the Lord's loving hands is always open and stretch out to us. This is the very reason why He left His Heavenly throne to reconcile us back to the Father after our first parents sinned. It is remarkable that, while in the excruciating, painful and mind-numbing torment of the cross, the Son of Man had the heart, mind, and will to pray for others ("Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."Luke 23:34).

I am a Christian because God loved me first so much so He sent his only begotten son to die for me, can any parents give up his only child for a friend who hurt him? God did it. He loved me while I was yet a sinner. He loved me to the cross and back. Jesus died for me and did not mind if I will love him back. A love so courageous that did not count its cost. 

4. Protection
He guides me in the most miracles way (Psalm 91). He sends His Angels to protect me so my foot does not hit against a stone. In a world where Satan causes all manner of afflictions and hardship, Jesus is our strong hold. He has liberated us from every curse and affliction. The righteous run to him and are saved. In Daniel 3:23 three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were thrown into a burning furnace because they refused to bow to other gods. God came to their rescue as He sent a fourth man into the fire and the flames did not burn them but isn't it interesting that those that threw the men into the fire got burnt but the men in the fire were untouched. This is the power of God. One of my testimonies on God's protection is He saved me from snakes. Jesus is also our defender, He did not only save the men thrown to the fire, He vindicated them. I too was slandered and wrongly accused but He rescued me.

5. Great Healer
I am a Christian because by His stripes we were healed (Isaiah 53:5), the word “healed” as translated from both Hebrew and Greek, can mean either spiritual or physical healing.  Nothing Jesus went through was wasted, every stroke, every pain was all for our good.  When Jesus came, He went about doing good, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, no case was hopeless to Him for He even raised the dead. The Bible records a woman with the issue of blood for 15years healed by just touching Jesus cloak (Luke 8:43-48). And He is still doing it in the present day. A couple of years ago, I had an accident, afflicted and could not walk for some months but the Lord gave me back my feet. I was sick in my body and breast but He healed me. His healing power is immeasurable.

6. Great Provider
Psalm 127:2 says, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” We don’t need to wear ourselves out with our work. God is busy providing for our needs, even while we sleep. I was broke and he provided for me. I was jobless and he gave me a job and a means of survival. The Holy Spirit is always available to give us ideas that will enable us to be financial blessed. And beyond our work – we can let go of our burdens and anxieties for tomorrow and next week and next month. We can let go and rest because God is busy working on all this even as we rest.

I am not a Christian because I want to accomplish some aim or goal. I am a Christian because it is evidential truth that God is not dead. His divinity is ever present guiding and watching over His children. Jesus lives and He is always speaking on my behalf, this is why anytime His name is called it produces results. The Bible is God's solution book to us, it never fails and it is alive with power that cannot be comprehended.They are uncountable reasons why I am a Christian  but I will stop here.

We are am complete in Christ. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). I am proud to be a Christian and to be identified with Christ. 

However, In Mat 10:6; Jesus said:"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves". When your faith is put on trial even though sheep are proverbially stupid—Jesus counters that notion by saying “be wise as serpents.” So vulnerability, not stupidity, be like snakes, not sheep, when it comes to being smart. I take that to mean that snakes are quick to get out of the way. They go under rock. So we should possess both the snake-intelligence and the dove-innocence, they are both designed to keep the sheep out of trouble. Therefore try to find ways to give your witness in a way that does not bring down unnecessary persecution.

More so, be submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Thou mayest do in this as it is in thy heart. If it is in thy heart to fly, fly; if it be in thy heart to stand, stand. Anything but a denial of the truth. He that flies, has warrant to do so; he that stands, has warrant to do so. Yes, the same man may both fly and stand, as the call and working of God with his heart may be. Moses fled, Ex. 2:15; Moses stood, Heb. 11:27. David fled, 1 Sam. 19:12; David stood, 1 Sam. 24:8. Jeremiah fled, Jer. 37:11-12; Jeremiah stood, Jer. 38:17. Christ withdrew himself, Luke 19:10; Christ stood, John 18:1-8. Paul fled, 2 Cor. 11:33; Paul stood, Act 20:22-23. . . .

Finally, anyone can preach the Gospel after reading it in his own understanding, only a few can live it. By their fruits we shall know them, our lifestyle should express the Word of God. So that those who are blind can sense it and when people come in contact with you let Christ reflex. Am not a Christian to lift my name up, am a Christian to exalt His name.

Accept Jesus today. 

Thank you Holy Spirit.

Shalom!