THE PRICE

Acts 5:18, 40-42

They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

The apostles were persecuted, yes the expected it, Christ had told them about it:

John 15:20

Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

John 16:33 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

For truly all that want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution:

2Timothy 3:12 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

So persecution is not strange to the believer, no, thus it cannot take away your joy. Not at all. It is part of the package.

Let no one deceived you, Christ said it again and again, all His discipleship pointed it out again and again. See if you are not persecuted, you should be worried, you are not yet fulfilling your purpose. Selah

We live in times where we have so many sugar coated messages, the truth is not told. People climb on pulpits to say only one part of the message, others climb on testimony stands and give baked testimonies, come on, do we have an idea of the Heavenly Father we serve? Nothing is hidden from Him.

Listen, we were promised to prosper not just in the afterlife but in this life, but wait, Christ said that it is with persecution:

Mark 10:30 

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

So come off it, don't cry under persecution, don't give up, take it, endure it, it is part of the package:

Matthew 5:10-12

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, 

    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

However, never confuse persecution to what you suffer when you:

* do the wrong thing;

* are lazy;

* experience loss because you offered poor service, did a bad job or projected wrongly;

* show bad character;

* meddle with other people's affairs;

* gossip;

* participate in unhealthy competitions . . . etc

The key word is: "living godly lives in Christ Jesus" this is when it qualifies as true believers' persecution.

Listen:

1 Peter 4:13-16

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Christ paid the ultimate price for us, we should live our lives for Him, we accept persecution for our faith and rejoice for being counted worthy.

What price have you, or are you paying?

Glory to God.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher