Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him who sent me. John 15:19-21
When was the last time you heard a sermon on these statements by Jesus? Not a ‘feel good’ sermon? Currently the atmosphere of our Government leadership has turned against those people who call themselves “Christian”. While there are many who use the label — the reality is that there are but a few (remnant) who actually are a ‘threat’ to the enemies of God. Are you ready to face the persecution that Jesus promises to His own?
Are you ready to reject the ‘fear of Man’ within you? Do you care what others think and say of you? Do you desperately want to be ‘liked’? Are you depressed when you don’t get the attention from others you so desire? (social media has trained people to many harmful and evil ways) The ONLY One who matters when it comes to your identity and worth is usually the last option people find, after exhausting all other avenues. Many people never get to the only option that will truly satisfy their soul. So many Christians are still trapped in the being ‘liked’ goal. They want other’s attention much more than knowing what God wants for them. But then much of the American Institutional Church has not told them how to have a deep and intimate abiding relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who will sit in that ‘empty space’ of your soul if you will let Him and fill you with His Presence, guidance, wisdom, and comfort. The Holy Spirit will introduce you to His Love. His love which heals, and reprograms your mind to understand what God has for you. The Holy Spirit who plants His fruit within you to shape your character and hone your will to accept His direction.
We are close in this country now to being persecuted just on the basis of loving Jesus. Are you ready for it? Are you ready to lose your life to find and live His? Is He taking all the fear out of your life that debilitates your view of your worthiness and His love for you? Has He taught you how to differentiate the thought sources in your mind? Is He teaching you how to discern the Truth of things? Is the Holy Spirit teaching you how to discern the ‘spirits’? Is the Holy Spirit teaching you how to be able to decipher the dangers of religion? Jesus didn’t come to set up a religion but a relationship with His Father.
The ONLY thing that can stand up in the face of persecution — is the Truth residing within you. That would be the Holy Spirit which is the testimony and blood of Jesus. Are you acutely aware of what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you on a daily basis? Are you pursuing Him in every area of your life? Do you have a distinct knowledge that you have ‘died’ and that now His life is the one that you live? Is Jesus your number #1 goal?
Know that Jesus’ words will come true and can be trusted to be completely fulfilled in your life IF you have the Holy Spirit as your Teacher. Has God given you any ‘Words’ personally? Are they the foundation of your faith? Do you seek Him above all else… daily? What are you pursuing? What is it that you desire most? Be honest with yourself – and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you are still trying to deceive yourself. We all have believed the lies of the enemy about ourselves at one point or another, which leads to our own self deception.
Is the Holy Spirit teaching you how to spot the lie?
How does one begin? Ask Him! Flat out …ask Him. Ask Him to teach you. Ask Him to show you. Yield your pride and just ask Him. Stomp on your fear and just ask Him. Begin that conversation with Him right now.
Ask Him.