How far are you willing to go for Christ? How much hurt will you endure for doing right? Will you follow Christ at all costs?
Being a follower of Christ, or being a Christian, comes along with much more than prosperity and “name it and claim it.” Certainly, God is the best ever gift-giver, but walking with Him is about much more than walking in prosperity.
Walking with Christ comes with a lot of pain, rejection, and hurts. It is imperative for us to take the time to study Him, His life, and His Word so that we have what it takes to follow Him at all costs. As we spend time in His Word, we gain the understanding needed to continue to press on in the midst of difficulties:
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
– John 15:18-19
We must grow spiritually so we are able to expect hate and rejection.
As we abide in & mature in Christ, He enables us to follow Him at all costs. Jesus was perfect and yet He experienced persecution. Why do we think we can avoid it? His life is to be an encouragement and model to us. He showed us how to also handle suffering.
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
– Isaiah 53:7
Christ responded to suffering with obedience. In the midst of persecution, He continued to submit to the Father’s plan.
Will you follow Christ at all costs?
Despite what comes your way: Don’t fight back. Don’t defend yourself. Don’t even worry about your reputation. Just follow Christ. Allow God to fight for you.
“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
– Exodus 14:14
No doubt it’s not always easy, but God’s way always works. Despite what comes your way, I encourage you to see God’s perspective in the situation and continue to obey despite how hard it gets. When you get discouraged, take the time to study the example of Christ and allow Him to encourage you.
You will never lose by obeying God. Who knows what our lives be if we let go of everything else and followed Him?
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
– I Corinthians 2:9
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