Stick to it or give up?

Hebrews 13:11-14

“The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus ALSO suffered OUTSIDE the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”

If you ask yourself, do you have something that you just wish to do for God inside your heart, but yet you just do not know how to execute it because you feel you are not strong enough, not capable enough, not daring enough, OR even you feel that if you ever mention it to anyone, people will just think you are nuts?

Do you have a passion that has been inside you for so long never daring to say it out for the fear that you will receive reproach? And because of that, you dampened the passion and put it inside you, never releasing it.

I did.

When I studied Hebrews 13 today, I realized many times if I want a breakthrough, often times I have to face some reproach. Let me explain…

I strongly believe God will use each and every one of us in a great way for Him. EVERYONE. Not a single one will be left out.

I am not sure if I assume correctly but I shall go ahead with it. I believe each of us does have things in our hearts, passions, ideas, that are from God and we just WISH we can do it for Him. BUT, often we just fear what others will say.

I reflected upon all my experiences. There are times I know that there are things He dropped inside me but I never dared to say them out cause of the fear of reproach from humans.

I came to realize one thing today. The way Heaven functions is pretty much different from the way we function here on earth. Often times favor from Heaven, is not always so pleasant from our point of view. Maybe that is why Jesus says, my ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts.

Jesus suffered OUTSIDE the city gate for the people. To make them holy. The holy of holies did not belong to the MOST HOLY PLACE stated in Hebrews 13. Instead He was outside and He bore the disgrace of human’s sins. How ironic is that right? Of all people, Jesus should be inside the Most Holy Place!!

Jesus was not in there because He came for the sinners, those that do not belong inside the city. Outcasts. He who has no sin is made a sinner so we can become the righteousness of God.

If we read the story of Jesus, did the people understand why He did that? Many think He is nuts. But Jesus knows, deep down in His heart, what He is called to do, BY GOD. For He only does what the Father says.

As followers of Jesus, we too are to carry that reproach. Breakthroughs often take place outside the city gate. People may not understand the intentions you have inside of you. They may ask you, “Are you sure?”, “Maybe you should reconsider again…”. Some may think you are just being extra or doing something redundant. Some may not be as passionate as you.

But please do not back down. IF you know it is clearly from God, keep that flame burning. Always remain true to your call. Do not let that passion or that desire inside of you die because of what others say.

“Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.”

Who is the one person who has been most strongly misunderstood? Jesus.

Who is the person that has been discouraged countless times, but has never given up? Jesus. Look at the number of times Jesus has seen the sins of this world that His creation has fallen away from Him. But yet, He has never given up on each of us.

I know of people that are very close to me, who have been discouraged, and that passion for what they once love doing is slowly dying off. Please hang on. Please do not give up. James 5 talks about, “ENDURANCE!!...Fight till the finish…”

Even when no one understands, even when you are the only one person, keep going. Even if it means to go outside the city gate, away from where everyone else is, where human support is present, GO! Go outside of that city gate. Hang on to your dream and passion. Because we belong to the outside. Breakthrough will come when we exit the place of human support and FULLY ask for Godly support.

Keep fighting. Keep pursuing Jesus and keep doing what He has told you to do, amidst the discouragement. Because HE will honor your faithfulness.

Love,
Chris