The early disciples of Christ were willing to endure personal sacrifice to win the lost to the Lord. Seems like today's "evangelists" care more about TV ratings, expensive cars, mega-mansions, personal jets and popularity. It's no wonder there is such a spiritual paucity. Who really takes up their cross to follow Jesus anymore?
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
The early disciples were put in prison and beaten for their preaching and they came out rejoicing to be considered worthy to have suffered a beating for the cause of Christ.
Not a mentality the current church has, where God is supposed to be blessing EVERYONE with prosperity and comfy lives.
After all, we give our kids good things. Are we better than God? Why doesn’t HE want us to have good things too?
And they forget the REALLY good thing is the character of Christ being built up in us.
All the focus is on the GIFTS of the Spirit and not the FRUIT of the Spirit.
But Jesus said that by our fruit men will know who we are. And that is what God is working in us.