To those in the West

 To those in the west

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.

I firmly believe that we who believe in Christ Jesus living in the western democracies don’t fully comprehend this statement. With all of our freedoms we fail to realize that the cost of following Christ can and is extreme for those in countries where the freedom to worship God is prohibited. Where worshipping God can get you and your family sent to jail or labour camps.

Even in some democracies in the world where Christianity is a minority faith. Believing in Christ can lead to persecution. Persecution that can force a believer to leave his or her home village or town, get dismissed from their job, and in some cases lead to their families breaking ties with them.

As a result we living in the west fail to count the cost of following Christ.   

As a result we quite often take our faith in Christ too lightly to the point at times we place God of second or third priority in our life.

Quiet often choosing to do other things ahead of serving and worshipping God.

Some believers even going as far as hiding their faith from their co-workers or employers.

To those in the west I would remind them of the words of Jesus who said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32,33.

So to those reading this who are living in the democratic and free democracies of the west do you admit to those around you, you are a believer in Christ Jesus?

Have you counted the cost of following Christ?

Do you put God ahead of all things in your life?

Please think about it.

Count the Cost

 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.