A challenge to speak out against sin,

“Immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter…” (Mark 6:27-28a)

John was not killed for preaching and baptizing in the wilderness, or for being a good moral person, or for associating with Jesus. Rarely would those things stir up any kind of opposition or persecution in our lives. Rather, John was beheaded because spoke out against the sinful adultery of King Herod and his wife Herodias. We’ll hardly stir up any strife by quietly going about our comfortable Christian lives; but we’ll hardly save anyone either. The world doesn’t need a bunch of wish-washy, mealy-mouthed Christians who will pander to their sins; it needs the truth. If we are to be witnesses for Christ we must speak out against sin. Martyrs are willing to say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said, no matter what! O God, infuse us with heavenly courage to boldly speak out against sin. Amen.

For the whole story read Mark 6:14-29

This week’s theme: The Message of the Martyrs

Be Faithful… The Message of Antipas

Don’t Be Silenced… The Message of James

Seize The Moment – The Message of Stephen