"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." Matthew 10:24

We dread few things more than standing alone. It requires a truly rare courage. We have in us an instinct that almost overwhelms us with the desire for companionship. To conform with groups of fellow human beings, many renounce their beliefs and principles. They know that, unless they do so, the group will probably turn on them.

Part of the wonder of the growth of the early church is that it grew despite the certain knowledge that persecution would follow the adoption of Christianity. The rise of the church is plainly the triumph of God's power given to weak mortals.

Christians still pay a price for refusal to conform to the ways of the world. Because they conduct themselves as children of God, the world hates them. Non-Christians often talk a great deal about tolerance, but they do not always practice it. Long ago Christ warned of this hypocrisy.

The wonder is still that human beings will consent to pay the price. But Christians through the ages have shown this courage. Faith still makes heroes of frail men and women. We salute these unsung heroes.

PRAYER: Lord, when I shrink from paying the price of loyalty to You, let Your power triumph in me too; for Jesus' sake. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 29-30    Acts 19:21-41

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