Why are Christians afraid to share the gospel if it's such good news?
* the following is an excerpt from my book 'SEEKER: Searching for Truth at All Costs'
First-century devout Christians were beheaded, fed to lions, and shoved into raging hot fires for their belief in Jesus as their Saviour. At the very minimum, believers were sentenced to jail and put on trial. Although Christians have seen periods in history where they were freer to openly share their beliefs, it appears as though we are cycling back to an era of persecution.
Christians are being specifically targeted in their places of worship. According to Voice of the Martyrs reports, there has been a five-fold increase of Christians dying for their faith over the last hundred years, with 175,000 Christians dying for their faith annually. Believers are being imprisoned and persecuted, especially in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, and in the Maldives. John 16:2-3 warned Christ-followers that this would happen.
Even those residing in "free countries" are reluctant to share the gospel. Although Christians want to tell their friends and family about Jesus and His gospel, many are paralyzed by the thought of being disliked, mocked, ridiculed, or ostracized. I have heard of many cases where Hindus and Muslims were rejected (and sometimes disowned) by their family, friend circle, and community after they accepted Christ as their Saviour.
Jesus said that His Word was so sharp, cutting, and offensive that many would rebel against His gospel message even if their soul recognized it as truth. Jesus knows how hard it is for anyone to admit that they are a sinner in need of saving. He knew that people would rage against the notion that there is only one way to salvation because He understands our desire for freedom and autonomy. He accurately predicted that most people would disregard His teachings and exercise their right to choose their own pathway.
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