The NIV 365 Day Devotional
Christianity is for the Strong
Some people assert that Christianity is a religion of weaklings. That flawed belief ignores the determined grit of everyday Christians pressing on to obey Jesus. It also overlooks the enormous sufferings believers have endured for their faith.
Need details? You can flip first to the great “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11, where you learn not only that Christians have triumphed but also that they have been tortured, chained and imprisoned, stoned, sawed in two, and killed by the sword.
The apostle Paul offers his own list of pains he faced to take the Good News about Jesus to the world. Five times he was lashed nearly to death. He was injured by stoning, shipwrecked, and awash at sea. He went without sleep, food, or drink. Christians still suffer and die for their faith today, yet in the midst of terrible hardship God fills them with strength.
Do you think it takes more guts to follow Jesus or not follow him?
Taken from the NIV Starting Place Study Bible.