But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
1 Peter 4:15
It will cost you something to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus for-warned His followers that they have to pick their cross and follow Him and this must be done on a daily basis. The purpose of the cross is to crucify the flesh. The desires of the flesh will manifest daily and you have to keep it under subjection via the cross. Luke 9:23 declares, Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Once the flesh is under control, your spirit will dominate. You’ll know this to be true because certain virtues will manifest in your life such as patience, love, joy, peace, perseverance, etc. they are spiritual traits and only those that are spiritual can posses them.
The natural man cannot produce them for he’s of the earth and desires the beggarly elements of this earth; thus, he must be crucified. On the other hand, the inner man desires things from above for he’s from above. Thus, he can only be pleased by things from above. Galatians 5:22-23 declares, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
You have to go through trials and persecutions in order for the heavenly traits to manifest in your life. You have to ensure that when you’re suffering or going through persecution that it’s not for wrong doing but rather for righteous living. Those that live a righteous life will be persecuted but that’s gospel because it’s indicative that you’re life is in harmony with God. There’s a price to pay for greatness and great are those that fear the Lord.
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you love, peace and joy unspeakable.
Divine Bread Circle 