Count the Cost
Speaking to the Sanhedrin and the high priest Peter and the other apostles said,
“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:30-32.
After being told by the religious leaders in Jerusalem to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. The apostles continued to do so. Which landed them in front of those same religious leaders, who were to say the least upset with them and wanted to kill them. To which
"Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" Acts 5:29.
While Peter and the apostles were flogged. They were let go and continued to tell about Jesus and the saving grace that comes through Him.
So it should be for all who are true believers in Christ Jesus. Jesus said,
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34.
This is something many believers around the world are doing. By becoming believers in Christ Jesus they are facing persecution imprisonment and even death for following Him.
This is something many in the western democracies especially here in North America for get to tell new converts.
Sadly if you listen to many so called Christian evangelist and pastors here in North America the gospel you here is that God wants you to healthy and wealthy. That no harm will come to you if you give to God (quite often meaning their ministry).
Jesus never promised His followers an easy time. You just have to look at the life of the apostle Paul and the other disciples. All but one suffered a martyrs death. Yet they still preached the Love and Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus to those around them.
If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus have you truly considered the cost of following Him?
Please think about it.
