08.19.07

How Much Will You Suffer For Christ’s Sake?

Posted in Persecution at 6:33 pm by TruthofmyKing

The apostle Paul, bondservant of Christ, became a TRUE Christian the moment he was confronted by the Lord Jesus on his journey into Damascus. 

Now I have a question; after Paul was converted did Jesus give him a new Mercedes Benz and a 3 Story - 7 Bedroom mansion to live in? 

No, instead the Lord said something peculiar and strange that flies in the face of Modern Christianity:

Acts 9:16

16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake. ”

NASB

Let us look at an example of Pauls life, AFTER he came to know Christ as Savior…

 2 Cor 11:23-27

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

NASB

I spoke with a man this week in which he told me that his friend was trying to convince him that “Once you come to know Christ, your troubles will pass.” 

I explained that this is true.  He then asked, “well how can what you say be true when I can see bad things happenning to Christians after they are “saved”?   I said because when I agreed that your “troubles will pass away” I did so in the context of the judgment of God on your carnal soul on that faithful day. 

You see, there will be a day when every man will give an account before God and if the Lord is your righteousness then the greatest trouble of your life has passed and the Holy wrath of God and the fury of fire will escape you. 

However, your troubles, in the flesh, here on this earth, will just begin. 

Consider first who is the ruler of this earth.  It is satan himself.  Do you expect a bed of roses to be laid down for you in your enemies land?  Will you rest comfortably here on earth as a true servant of Christ?

Listen to what your Lord has said:

John 15:19

19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

NASB

I have heard the following statement from people who profess Christ as their Savior: “I am not having any problems, life is good to me.” 

 I would ask “Are you greater than your Master?” 

The reason for my question is when you say you are a servant of Christ and you are not receiving persecution then you are either greater than Christ or you make Him a liar according to the Gospel through John:

John 15:20

20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

NASB

I am saddened by the false prophets and the deceived multitudes that call themselves by the name of “Christian” these days.  The world is their friend and they suffer no persecution for Christ’s sake.  I can assure you they are not greater than Christ so my conclusion is that they must be of this world.  Christ has said, “the world will love its own.”

But they argue even more, that the Scripture says Christ came to give us life abundantly.  Again, this is true:

John 10:10

10 “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

NASB

But, did it ever cross your carnal mind that this “abundant life” talked about in this passage is the “life to come” and not the life you have in this wicked world. 

Did Christ give you an abundant life in this unholy place so that He then could turn around and tell you that you must hate that same life?

John 12:25

25 “He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.

NASB

I assure you that these verses don’t contradict each other, they are only speaking about two different times in a TRUE Christian’s life.  One is the life to come and this is the abundant life that Christ came to give.  The other is the life you have now, that is your worldly, fleshly, life and you will hate it, if you love Christ. 

Paul makes it clear that we have not yet become what we will be, but that day is coming:

1 Cor 15:53-55

53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

NASB

We now live as mortal, perishable beings, but if the Lord is our Righteousness we will ONE DAY be risen and changed in the twinkling of an eye, to an imperishable and immortal being. 

That is if God has regenerated you. 

How do you know if you have been regenerated?  Can you apply Scripture to yourself?  Does it speak to you or does it condemn you?  Are you being persecuted in this world?  Have you suffered for Christ’s sake? 

Rom 8:16-17

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

NASB

Do not be afraid to suffer with Christ.  Suffer in denial of your temptations, suffer in persecutions, suffer in all things. 

I can say this because He lives today and one day you also will live, if you truly are His.  Examine yourself today to see if Christ is in you, if He is not found, repent and believe.

2 Tim 2:3

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

NASB

 For the Truth of my King

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