Jesus has been discussing His upcoming betrayal, death, resurrection, and ascension. He has been telling His disciples about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He has told them how the Holy Spirit will flow through them producing fruitfulness and love. Because of this love, we will be hated and persecuted.
The tendency is to seek comfort or escape
Our natural tendency is to seek comfort. We want a long life of leisure, pleasure, and comfort. Because of this we naturally shy away from persecution. We seek to petition our government to protect our rights or we seek to escape to a more tolerant place. This is a natural response to coming persecution.
The Holy Spirit compels us to share the Gospel
Jesus says that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will produce almost the exact opposite response. The Holy Spirit will compel us to speak the truth boldly in the face of persecution. We will stand like John the Baptist and speak out against our rulers’ adultery. Like Stephen we will boldly proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord. Like Elijah we will publically stand alone against all the false prophets of our day. Like the three Hebrew children we will stand instead of bow to the peer pressure. The Holy Spirit will not silence us our compel us to run from the battle; instead, the Holy Spirit will cause us to run to the battle, open our mouths, and make us bold for the truth.
We must tell others what Jesus has done in our lives
The Holy Spirit will compel us to share with others all that Christ has done. This means that if we are Spirit-filled believers that we will be sharing the Gospel. It is the height of selfishness to go to heaven alone! We must share with others what Christ has done for us. This is the Christian’s response to persecution.
Application
Will you fight instead of retreat? How have you been silent? How have you compromised? Who do you need to share the truth of the Gospel with?
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