Let me make two straight points right this second.
One: You will be persecuted and opposed.
These are facts you can take to the bank.
Opposition and persecution are solid truths to being a disciple following Jesus. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30)
If you surrender all to God daily, if you simply just desire to live a holy life, you will be persecuted.
You are probably already aware the world at large does not like Christians so there is no reason to think you will be exempt from opposition if you follow hard after Jesus. In many situations, the opposition starts on the home-front. “…a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Matthew 10:36)
Indeed, in Seattle of Washington State, they are rabidly anti-Christian and will even use the police to run the righteous out of town.
Remember this is a spiritual battle and the Devil, the enemy of your soul will throw opposition into your path toward the Living God. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The slanders, the questioning of God, the fear-mongering, the “what-ifs” are piled on in order to keep you from repenting. Best seek God for the power to tune them out or you will one day be down there roasting in hell with them.
However, more important than the fact of hell is that you will miss out on the Abundant Life. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Indeed, if you have started to just have a small desire to live a holy life for God then no doubt you have had friends and family start to question exactly what is wrong with you.
Besides opposition from respected religious leaders, some of your worst enemies will arise from family members. There are exemptions but they are rare: The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God–he and his whole family. (Acts 16:34)
Jesus said it would so – and you can trust Him.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ” ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law– a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Two: God Will Protect
God will protect you from what you cannot endure.
The trouble is in God you are capable or will be enabled to take more opposition than you think. This would take sermons to explain but in a nutshell that is the main point, you will suffer in Jesus on some level.
You will suffer opposition and persecution but God is always faithful to empower those who are suffering for His sake.
The real question is, are you willing to endure all things God calls for because of your love for Him?
Summary
Trouble will come your way if you start thinking about following Jesus.
Persecution will happen in your life as you walk the narrow road, but only those who remain faithful till the end are welcomed into heaven.
Timothy Williams
Because Jesus Said “Sit Down”
www.luke1425.org
