PAY THE PRICE TO LIVE FOR CHRIST
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
Friday 20, July 2018
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12
Paul here was telling us about the things he encountered; shipwreck, beaten several times, stoned and left for dead. He said all these things I endured for the sake of the gospel and out of them all, the Lord delivered me.
You see there is nothing you have suffered for the kingdom’s sake, that the Lord will not bring deliverance to you. It is guaranteed! You will be delivered! With that understanding, you can stand. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; that is what we don’t want. Persecution is the price you pay for integrity. Any time you decide to live for God, you will be attacked; from the back, centre left and right. It is going to come in diverse ways. You will be misunderstood, misconstrued, condemned, ridiculed and disparaged.
Societies are filled with the activities of the devil because the church is not ready to live for God. We are not ready to pay the price for integrity. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth but our light is not shinning. It is not shinning because we want to please the world. We want to be like others. We don’t want to be seen as odd people. We don’t want to pay any price.
Any time you commit to a life of integrity, get ready to walk a lonely road because friends and loved ones are going to desert you; not out of hatred, but out of weariness. They are tired and cannot continue the journey. Be ready to walk alone. Be ready to be misunderstood, accused and called names. So, if you must be an agent of change, be willing to suffer. Be willing to pay some price. But the good thing is, as you trust God your faith will not fail.
Further reading:1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 26-28; Evening- Acts 2
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