Do you think the gospel message is for the poor or the rich? You could say everyone, but that would avoid a valid issue. The Bible says not many rich or noble are called. What is your own experience? Do you find your fellow believers drawn more from the top of society or the bottom? What is the incentive for those who are well-off in this world to seek the Kingdom of God? They are winning in the present system and have their reward. Those who are not have a stronger incentive to seek a place of refuge in the world above and they have my promise that they will find it.

Are you a marked man? This phrase is used to refer to someone designated for a special purpose, and sometimes has a literal meaning. Indigenous peoples still practice initiation rites to mark transitions and many of these involve permanent markings. Lest you roll your eyes at these “primitive” practices consider that I gave circumcision to my people as a covenant ritual. Paul experienced this, but this isn’t what he was referring to when he said, I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Not all marks are external and visible.

Are you familiar with the Great Commission? Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. Christians refer to this task as evangelism. It is also less commonly known by the term proselytizing. This term is so broadly defined that it can be applied to any attempt to get anyone to change their mind about anything. Evangelism certainly is that, but much more besides. Have you found it is a far greater challenge to make disciples than it is to get someone to profess belief? Do not be discouraged.

Have you ever had a bad day? Do you see this as an excuse to be grumpy? In this way you can pass your bad day along to others who would otherwise not be a party to it. Can you conduct yourself with grace and kindness toward others even when things are not going well for you? If you have immunity to a disease you will not get it even if you are exposed. If you can be gracious in trials then you have immunity from being contagious, and if you can refuse to take offense at the bad moods of other people then you have immunity from them. I gave you an immune system for your body.