Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

Jesus was a threat alive, dead, resurrected and now as He reigns. But why?

Jesus poses the threat of exchange and replacement. Exchange false beliefs and replace with clarity and truth that leads to eyes opened and life anew. Exchange comfort for discomfort among those who preferred our former deception. Exchange self-sufficiency and replace with our full dependence upon Him. Exchange our ways for His. Exchange our will for His. Exchange our desires for His. Lord, you mean you don’t want me to tell that person off—even when I’m well within my rights to do so? You want me to keep my mouth shut? Lord, you want me to follow your lead rather than moving ahead without you? Jesus says, “Follow Me and be my disciple (Luke 5:27)” —and where will that decision take us?  What will I have to give up? Who will I upset? Because choosing you will make me stand out rather than blend in with the culture. There is a cost to following Jesus.

Jesus posed such an incredible threat that the Romans and the religious teachers of His day wanted him killed. When he was crucified, they went to great lengths to ensure the rumors of Him being the Messiah were quickly silenced and falsified. The threat that Jesus posed to His enemies in those days remains the same today. The mere mention of His Name and His Truth inflames and offends. He turns things upside down, on their heads and then right side up. Demons flee in His Name. In His Name, there is authority—an authority that causes believing hearts to surrender and yield—and an authority that causes unbelieving hearts to resist or seek to negotiate. There is indeed something different about Jesus…and this causes unrest within the unbelieving and negotiating heart.

It has always been a heart condition. The heart wants what the heart wants—and yet, only those with true humility will be courageous to truly seek the source (Jesus) of what the heart wants. The old must die to make room for the new. Matthew 9:17, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”

Arrogance and pride remain the cousins of temporal and eternal destruction. Following Christ will cost you less than choosing not to.

Heavenly Father, we pray for Your mercy and love to strive a while longer with those who are still negotiating the full surrender of their hearts to you and to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Father in hearts that seem impervious/impenetrable, we pray for them to have an unmatched encounter with Your Love. We pray for Your Love to bring them to clarity and courage to want more of You, no matter the cost. We pray for Christ to reign on the throne of their hearts and for self to kneel. Fill their hearts to overflowing, Lord, so that what they sought to negotiate and hold on to will pale in the sight of the abundant life that You give.  Amen.

-Nicole

Nicole D. Hayes is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold teaching ministry launched in May 2013. Nicole’s purpose in creating Voices Against the Grain is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amid confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.

Learn more about Nicole D. Hayes here.