“I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” Acts 23:6

What do you believe so strongly that you would be willing to die for? I asked myself this question years ago as a young pastor, and from it came a series of sermons that I was very passionate about. You may not have the opportunity to proclaim from a pulpit your most resolute convictions, but you do have the opportunity to speak, write out, and possibly publish what you most strongly believe.

The apostle Paul clearly defined the cause of his imprisonment. He was unjustly accused, and was a prisoner of Rome, but his perspective was that he was a captive, not of Rome, but of Christ (i.e., Philippians 1:,12-14). Specifically, the hope of the resurrection of the dead was the true basis for his imprisonment.

We see from the example of the apostle Paul that opposition, imprisonment, and ultimately death, defined and refined his core beliefs. If our beliefs are not tested and resisted, we likely will not truly grapple what what we resolutely believe.

My core beliefs are echoed in the words of a late pastor, who summarized them this way: God is one, and number one; Jesus is the Son of God; the kingdom is the message and the mission; the dead are really dead; therefore, resurrection is the key; and lifestyle is the issue. These are my non-negotiables; my life-on-the-line absolutes.

What do you believe so strongly you would face opposition, imprisonment, and even death for? We each do well to carefully examine and test that which we think we believe. Having done so, in the heat of trial and opposition, we will see how precious and important these beliefs are.

Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/ & https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/

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