2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) Says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." John 15:18 (KJV) Says, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. John 3:20 (KJV) Says, "For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." Matthew 5:10 (KJV) Says, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Luke 6:22 (KJV) Says, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake."
When anyone chooses to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior they can expect to lose friends, and sometimes even have family members turn against them. Many who are lost or have turned away from God after being saved do not want to socialize with Christians. We should not take this personal as often times it is not us they are uncomfortable with, but rather Christ in us. The world is a dark place and born again believers and followers of Christ, who are living in obedience to Him, have His light shining through them. When we are living right others can see the light of Christ in us, and it prompts them to consider their ways. If they are not ready to accept Christ or they have turned away from Him, they have no desire to be reminded of the changes they need to make. The light of Christ forces them to consider their ways, and if they're not ready to accept Him or make the changes they need to make they often choose to avoid those with the light of Christ shining through them. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Luke tells us that men shall hate us and separate us from their company.
In the above verses of scripture God's tells us, when we opt to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, and choose to live in obedience to Him, we will suffer persecution. We are also reminded that the world persecuted Jesus Himself. Note Jesus tells us in John 15:18 that the world hated Him before it hated us. Jesus was persecuted while here on earth in various ways. He was falsely accused, betrayed, mocked, spit upon, beaten, and so much more with the greatest persecution being His crucifixion, and we are not greater than or even equal to Jesus, therefore we too should expect to be persecuted while in the world.
When we first accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior we can expect some friends and family members to abandon us, it can be hurtful, and leave you feeling lonely. I encourage you not to be discouraged as you are never alone because God is always with you. You have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, God promises in His Word that He will never leave you nor forsake you, and He also tells us in His Word that He is holding our right hand. God will bring the right people into your life to walk beside you, be patient and trust Him. Beware of those who tempt you to fall back into old ways and habits that no longer fit who you are as a born again believer and follower of Jesus Christ. There will more than likely be those who try their best to encourage you to do just that. I urge you to Stay strong, resist temptation, and stand firm in your faith knowing that choosing to live your life in a Christ-like manner is choosing to live the best life you could ever possibly hope to live. When we live our life in a Christ-like manner, others recognize that, and it is our greatest testimony. It is the hope that the lost come to desire for themselves what they see in us which is Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
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