Living for Christ has a cost

  BY Argie Simonis

"And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head." Luke 9:58

This verse has often been used to support the misconception that Jesus and His disciples lived in poverty. However, in this case, the fact that Jesus had nowhere to turn His head was due to persecution which is part of the cost of a Christian life:

"Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2Tim. 3:12

Having your life threatened because of your faith in Jesus is one of them, but it is not the most harmful. And this is because the

history shows that the Church has always flourished under persecution.

Another form of persecution is rejection by others because of our faith, condemnation and negative words we receive. I believe this is the most dangerous form of persecution, because it is subtle and can bring frustration, self-pity and inefficiency in the ministry the Lord calls us.

If you recognize yourself in this situation, I have good news for you: 

It is not you who are being persecuted, but Christ in you! 

In fact, you become a partaker of His passions and you will share His rewards with Him. Holding this truth in our hearts we can really cry out with joy when we are persecuted!

"Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:11-12