The Cost of the Gospel: By Stella Ashworth
Have We Forgotten What It Took to Carry the Cross?
We hold the Word of God in our hands, but how often do we stop to consider the persecution, suffering, sacrifice and, for many, the ultimate price of proclaiming its message?
The early disciples did not follow Jesus for applause, comfort or earthly reward. They followed Him knowing that obedience could cost them everything. They witnessed the risen Christ, proclaimed the hope of salvation and declared the coming Kingdom of God in a world that often rejected their message.
They stood firm when their faith was tested, when their freedom was taken and when their very lives were threatened.
Saul, who once persecuted Christians, became Paul, a devoted servant of the very Christ he had opposed. For the sake of the Gospel, Paul endured beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, hunger, danger and relentless persecution (2 Corinthians 11:23–28).
Yet, through it all, he declared: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
John was exiled to Patmos, yet even there, he received the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Stephen, as he was being stoned, looked up and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55–60).
The apostles endured rejection, suffering and persecution as they carried the message of salvation to the ends of the earth. Throughout history, countless believers have also paid dearly for refusing to deny their Lord.
Have we truly considered what it cost those who carried the Gospel before us?
The message of Christ was not carried through generations by men and women who were untouched by suffering. It was proclaimed through courage, tears, imprisonment, sacrifice and, for many, martyrdom. They understood that the Gospel was about Jesus Christ, the salvation of souls and the glory of God.
We must never become so familiar with the Cross that we forget what it represents. We must never reduce Christianity to entertainment, Sunday services, uplifting songs or the pursuit of blessings while neglecting the call to discipleship.
Our faith rests upon the finished work of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for our salvation. We must honour the faithful witness of those who went before us by taking seriously the truth they proclaimed and the calling they embraced.
Do we respect that legacy? Do we understand the responsibility that comes with carrying the name of Jesus? Are we willing to stand for the truth when it costs us our reputation, our comfort, our friendships or even our lives?
These are not comfortable questions, but they are necessary ones. And when the road becomes difficult, let us remember the words of Paul: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (Corinthians 4:8–9)
We may be pressed on every side, but we are not abandoned. We may face opposition, but Christ remains faithful. Our strength is not found in the absence of suffering, but in the sustaining grace of God.
THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED TO US. WILL WE CARRY IT FAITHFULLY?
Those who went before us stood firm through persecution, suffering and death. They did not preserve the Gospel by compromising the truth, but by remaining faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now the responsibility rests with us to proclaim His truth, live according to His Word and pass the faith on to the next generation.
Let us honour those who went before us, not merely by admiring their courage, but by following their example of faithfulness. Let us respect the foundations of our faith, stand firmly upon the Word of God and proclaim Jesus Christ with reverence, conviction and boldness.
One day, our time to carry the torch will be over. May those who come after us find that we guarded the truth, remained faithful to Christ and never surrendered the Gospel entrusted to us.
By Stella Ashworth - Bay Talk
