Christ at all costs!
A little girl needed an operation and was terrified of the thought.
Her parents promised to give her something she had wanted for a long time as encouragement-
– her very own kitten.
The operation was a success.
But as the anesthesia wore off-
– the little girl mumbled, “This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!”
Believers who go through hardships while serving the Lord-
– will never feel the way that little girl did when they look back on the trials they overcame.
2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
It’s true!
When you live a lifestyle of holiness-
– you will be mocked and perhaps even cursed.
However, Jesus said to His disciples:
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
As a result of our faithfulness to follow Christ at all costs-
– Christ assured us that when He returns to earth, “he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27).
The apostle James said to “consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).
Because “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
You should rejoice in the fact that we “participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).
When you endure hardships and trials in this life-
– count it a privilege and blessing to be identified with the Saviour.
Suffering for Him will bring a sure and eternal reward free of any regrets.
And the Lord will give you joy when you suffer through hardships in the Christian life.