Understanding Christ, Enduring Persecution and Overcoming Self-affliction

There is nothing more important than understanding who Jesus is and following him faithfully even at the cost of extreme persecution, even unto death. We Christians can't expect to be treated well because most people do not believe in the Lord, and certainly do not suffer for his sake. They do not respect the Bible nor the commandments. Jesus was not just a leader in righteousness, not just a great teacher with a following, he was the Son of the living God. He was God in the flesh.

We have teachers today telling us that you must obey the leadership of their church. We have these teachers today also telling us that their way is right, and these teachers do not follow Christ. They do not deny themselves for Christ's sake. They say things contrary to the Bible and the teaching of Jesus. However, they are followed and supported by wicked people who do not understand God's will. They have large homes, expensive vehicles and fine luxuries. They do not tell the truth and convict people of their sin because they are afraid they will suffer for it.

Idolatry and Ignorance of God

We are not supposed to worship idols or false gods. However, there are people that are not looking to Christ. They build their security upon their wealth and position, or something else, but not God. They have assets if their income fails. If their assets fail they have a large salary. They have education and skills. They have access to opportunity. They have wealthy friends. Nevertheless, if they don't have Jesus, they don't have any thing at all when it comes time to take matters into account before God. We all must stand before God and those who have ignored Him will surely know their mistake. If they didn't take the time to believe in His son, who suffered and paid for our sins on the cross, and the effort to deny themselves in this life in honor of the Lord, and to follow Jesus, they will spend eternity without him in torment.

Faith and Following God

With only a little faith, a person can grow for Jesus. A person doesn't have to be a learned theologian, a small child can look and believe upon the Lord. Any person can ask God to help his faith increase, to help him spend his life on this earth in honor to Jesus. A believer obtains hope, faith and love in Christ. He trusts God for his daily needs. The world becomes new, his understanding becomes new, a believer is made a new creature. He can meet other believers like himself, some more knowledgeable and useful in God's work than others. He becomes part of a family, God's family. He can rest upon God's word of promise. He can be assured of a happy future and blessed eternity. No matter what he may suffer, he always has God as a father, caring for him. A believer has more security than any non-believer.

Mt. 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.