The Holy Spirit and the Persecuted
The Holy Spirit is the crucial part of the one who has committed their life fully to the love of God. Jesus said that the cost would be high, even possibly death. The question we should be asking ourselves as we seek the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, how far are you willing to follow Jesus? We may not be killed for our faith, but are you prepared? There have been many who were killed in this country for the sake of the gospel of Christ. Do not think that just because we live in the United States of America that this will not happen to you. Terrorism is all over the world, even here. Are you ready? Seek the power of the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength while He can be found!
The Holy Spirit and the Persecuted
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:10 NKJV)
Throughout Christian history, the people of God and followers of Jesus Christ have been at odds with the world. It is a wander that the Christian faith has flourished. But, we should first consider the fact that all those who are completely committing themselves to the obedience and call of Christ on their lives. They are following the call of Jesus to go into all the nations and proclaim the good news of the love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. When Jesus walked among the people and taught and healed with the word of God, even His closest disciples were oblivious to the true cost of being a disciple.
Jesus Christ did not come to demonstrate the love of God and then die for nothing! It because of our sins that He volunteered to come down from His throne to live and die for us to have the opportunity for eternal life. Jesus told his disciples on several occasions concerning the fact that He had to die. He spoke concerning not only that He would be persecuted but that they should expect the same, if they follow Him. Many preach a gospel of prosperity and a bed of roses for all who choose to follow Him. Jesus never taught that following Him would be easy. In fact, persecution will come to you in form or another. He never told His disciples that they get rich if they did a certain program or formula from the scripture. Sure, The Holy Spirit cares for those who love the Lord and follow Him with all their hearts. The emphasis is on all their hearts. Those who seek prosperity and riches apparently have not studied the scripture.
Why shouldn’t we ask the Lord for money? Look at King Solomon. All that Solomon ask for was wisdom from God so that He could rule God’s people by God’s Holy hand. God chose to not only to give him wisdom to rule but He gave Him riches and fame. Look! The Lord will give you the desires of your heart but your heart must desire the things of God. Money, fame and fortune will become your God. For one to stand against the evil days to come, one must know and understand, per Jesus, that you will be persecuted. Your only defense against the evil days to come is keep your eyes on Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
(1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV)
The Apostle Peter was an example of the everyday human being with the focus of the Holy Spirit as the driving force that led him. He was the one disciple who truly spoke up concerning issues that he did not understand. Peter had moments of failure and despair. He also had moments of great triumph in the Lord. But, the light did not truly come on for Peter until he received the Holy Spirit in his life. Peter was never the old Peter again after that moment. Everything that Jesus taught and demonstrated concerning the kingdom of God became real and never took his eyes off the mission commanded by the Lord. As one who not only witnessed the Lord Jesus persecuted and beaten for nothing other than fear. He denied Jesus three times the night He was betrayed. Peter watched from a distance as his Lord and master was led to Golgotha and nailed to a cross between two thieves. These two thieves, according to the law, were serving their just sentence, death on the cross. But, Jesus was innocent blood and pure blood as a sacrifice without blemish.
We all will betray and deny our Lord, mostly without intention or knowing. We all fall short of the glory of God. We do not deserve grace and mercy, but praise be to the Lord God Almighty, we are blessed. The greatest understanding of persecution in the life of the believer who truly follows Jesus Christ, will look to the Holy Spirit in all things. What is the cost of discipleship? What are you willing to do for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
(Matthew 10:39 NKJV)
The more we give our life to the Lord Jesus Christ, the more we will lose it. This means that when you decide to follow Jesus with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, then you truly deny self and the things that would normally direct your life. Many believers who sought to follow Jesus Christ unblemished went out of their way to stand in the path of destruction to sacrifice themselves for the gospel, but that is not what it means. When you sacrifice yourself for the gospel of Christ, you do not have to go looking for it, it finds you. If you are living for the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone in the power of the Holy Spirit, then Satan will seek to destroy you. Live for Christ and for Him alone. If you are not seeking to sacrifice your life at every turn and you truly live for the Lord Jesus Christ, be prepared! You need to establish a firm stand with the Holy Spirit and in the power of His might, for persecution will come to you. The one who seeks out the fight is considered a bully and is not right in the eyes of the Lord. But, the one who prepares for persecution, may never see it, but they are ready for the fight when it comes.
When a person looks for their life and finds it, they were not looking for Christ. They were looking for acceptance in the world and not in the Lord. The Holy Spirit is not in them and guiding their steps. But, when you are looking for the Lord Jesus and follow the guiding path of the Holy Spirit, then you will find it. If you lose your life because of your love of Jesus, then you will find it for eternity. Our true life is not here serving and loving the world, but our true life is eternal with Jesus Christ. If you do lose your life for the sake of Christ, your reward is eternal. To believe that persecution is not real, one needs to only look to the news, local, national, and world news. There are believers persecuted and killed every day in the world. People young and old, rich and poor, insignificant and high profile. Satan is ramping up his fight because he is desperate. Are you willing to stand firm for what is right and just in the eyes of the Lord God in the power of the Holy Spirit? Are you going to compromise your beliefs and your relationship with Christ for fear of the worldly consequences? Are you willing to stand up, take up the cross of Christ and follow Him regardless the cost? Rely fully on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength and He will lift you up in times of weakness and rejoice and know that your redemption is here in Christ. Believe and live eternally rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compromise and be cast out like the chaff into the lake of fire. Where are you in this picture?
Le Us Pray
Father, forgive my unfaithfulness to Your ways and belief in Your Son Jesus. Lord help me strive for a closer and more intimate relationship with You in the power of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit of the living God guide my steps that I may not waiver from the path set before me to eternal life. Lord, remove any hindering spirit that may stand in the way of my loving and serving You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. In Jesus’ most precious name, Amen