The Cost of Being a Christian
“People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do, you will be blessed. Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did the same evil things to the prophets who lived before you.”- Matthew 5:11-12
The Bible warns Christians of things that are in store for them once they become Christians. The life of a believer will not be easy. This is true because Jesus talks about this reality in the Bible. He says that “people will insult and hurt you because you follow me”. People who treat Christians like this do not follow God but follow the real ruler of the world who is known as Satan (1 John 5:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4). People will hate Christians because they stand up for the truth of God which is good instead of what is evil.
The cost of being a Christian can include giving up the things we love or want like sin, money, and even sometimes close relationships to follow Jesus. Jesus’ disciples left their lives behind to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22). They even died standing up for their faith. They gave up everything so they could have eternal life. The only exception is Judas because he loved money more and that cost him his life and his eternal place in heaven (Matthew 27:3-5). The apostle Paul’s friend Demas is another person who left the faith to follow his own desires because he loved them more (2 Timothy 4:10).
The cost of being a Christian is worth it if a believer stays faithful to God and stands up for His laws during times of affliction or prosecution because God will reward them by giving them eternal life. In heaven there will be no more pain, hate or evil and constant fellowship with God, Jesus and the other saints.
Prayer of the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
Why does it have to be so hard to be Your child? That question is a struggle for many. Please give us the strength to endure the pain when we go through it. It will happen because Jesus reminds us of that in Your Holy Word. We know that all we can do is trust in You for all our needs. In Your precious Son’s name we pray, Amen!
