TOPICAL BIBLE SUBJECTS
 Messages of Encouragement, Promises and Prayers

"FOLLOWING JESUS"
(WHAT WILL IT COST TO FOLLOW THE LORD?)
By Evangelist Diana Gray
Copyrighted (c) 2000, All Rights Reserved
 KJV Bible For All Scripture

WHAT WILL IT COST TO FOLLOW THE LORD 
IN THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL REALM? 
EVERYTHING YOU HAVE!..... WHY?

     Matthew 10:16-18 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 

    Jesus knew that his disciples would be under considerable persecution and rejection by the very people whom they would try to bring Salvation to.  He knew that from time to time there would be pain and hurt feelings in the hearts of the disciples from people's negative reactions.  What would be the cost of following Jesus? Everything!

Matthew 10:34-36 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 

     Conflicts, disagreements, heartaches and sorrows would follow those who would follow Jesus.  Ministering into people's lives has a cost.  Commitment to following Jesus as a Christian would bring separation from friends, businesses and even family members.  Jesus knew at times, a person could loose everyone around them for a season and feel the pains of isolation and loneliness.  The Lord hears our tears and is there to help us through these times of testing.

Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

     The very presence of Jesus in one's life, separates a person from the people of the world until they too know the Lord.  Decision's have to be made, and until people are ready to make the right one to follow Jesus, there will be conflict with those who are already saved.  Why, because sinners are feeling convicted and confronted with their own sins.  This causes the carnal (fleshly) man to rebel when they resist the Lord's call. 
     You can outrun places and things but you can't outrun your self or God.  No matter where a person goes, they have to take themselves with them.  Whatever sins harbor inside a person's heart will still be with them when they arrive at a new location.  Sometimes for these people it is unbearable being (around) Christians because of the deep conviction they are under.  For some, these desperate feelings are felt just prier to accepting Salvation.  This is a good reason why Christians should be ready to present the gospel at any and every opportune time.  Just going to the gas station or grocery store could lead to a possible Salvation encounter. Always be open and ready.
     As the Lord leads us with His Word and Holy Spirit guidance, we change and spiritually grow.  Our attitudes, ideas and morals change until the very person that we were no longer exists.  As the years pass a mature Christian will be able to look back in the past and wonder if that person they used to be was really them.  This spiritual growth separates Christians from non Christians in a profound way.  Spiritual differences sets us apart from a world that doesn't understand because of spiritual blindness.  What they don't understand, they hate.  Conflict develops as the inevitable differences arise creating a separation.  I know these separations from the world hurt and are costly to one's emotional well-being.   When the Lord allows trials to come and doors become closed He opens up others if we prayerfully allow Him to. 

10:29, 32 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven

     The Lord sees the hidden things in our lives and even knows when people gossip behind our backs.  We don't see it happening but the Lord does and knows that sin is taking place.  This is why we never have to take revenge, no one truly gets away with anything without the Lord knowing.  Nothing is hidden from Him and He sincerely cares.  We are loved and cared for so much so that the very hairs on our head the Lord has counted. Nothing is hidden!  Following Jesus is not easy!  Trials and persecutions will come but the reward is greater than anything the world has to offer. Keeping our eyes firmly focused upon the Lord and off of this world helps to keep things in perspective.

Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, 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. 

     Why would Satan bother with the people who are lost in this world, he (thinks) has them?  No, he would rather can go after the Christians that are saved preparing for their journey to Heaven.  When we become saved then we become the devils arch enemy and he will do everything in his power to destroy our lives.  If we can hold up under spiritual and physical attacks than we display a mighty witness to the rest of the world.  This is the real test of one's character, (how well one holds up under attach and siege shows their spiritual maturity.) 
     Jesus doesn't desire worldly, superficial harmony with lies and deceit.  He desires us to take everything that the Word can teach us and apply it to win souls for the Kingdom of God.  Just enduring to the end is not enough to receive our Heavenly reward, its the deep commitment to Jesus that really counts in the end.  We can love our families and friends but when they come between us and following Jesus, our eyes should  be firmly planted upon the Lord.  Are you a strong Christian? Have you been under trials and conflicts that tear at your heart and make you feel like crying?  Lift up your head and "rejoice," 

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

May you truly be blessed of the Lord, Sister Diana
KJV Bible For All Scripture

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