Have you ever had to suffer just because you were a Christian? The book of Acts details some of the gruesome trials and suffering the believers had to go through, and they are our examples. It is important to keep at the back of our minds that the book of Acts itself was not intended to be a comprehensive record of all that happened. We see that at some point, Luke chose to focus solely on Paul. However, because of their faith, the early believers faced many more gruesome difficulties; Paul himself was eventually beheaded by the emperor Nero. Some believers were hanged, others were nailed to the cross, the apostle Peter was nailed upside-down to a cross. Some were boiled in hot oil, others were flailed and skinned alive as they screamed to their death. Some were hung upside down on hooks, others were fed to lions, while still others were killed with the sword for sport, and all for what? Because they dared to say they were followers of Jesus Christ the king of kings. We can't forget that it is with these company that we will stand on the judgement day. What have you had to suffer for your faith? My encouragement; remember the words of Jesus; "Then Jesus said to his disciples, if any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." Matthew 16:24-25 NLT.
Jesus also said; "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." Matthew 5:11-12 NLT.
The apostle Paul sums it up writing to Timothy; "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2Tim 3:12 NLT. I pray that you will be fully persuaded about whose you are and whom you now believe in to the point that you will stand for your faith.
