The Christian life is hard. In the best-case scenario, people will ridicule and ostracize you from social groups. (Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:4) You will always be an outsider. (John 15:18-19; 1 Peter 2:11) Worst-case scenarios involve torture and death in gruesome manners. (Matthew 24:9; Hebrews 11:35-38) Following Jesus is not for the squeamish or fainthearted. Being a Christian isn’t for everyone. It is only for those who see Jesus as being worth any sacrifice and worthy of every kind of mockery and torture. (Luke 14:26-33; Philippians 3:7-8)
We are the few and the called, but that’s not something to be proud of. We did nothing to earn this privilege. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9) It is only by God’s grace that we are called to this life of service and sacrifice and ultimately to immense joy and life everlasting. (1 Peter 5:10; Titus 3:6-7) If you want to live for Jesus, take up your cross and don’t waver. (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 15:58)
We must hold on to our confession of faith in Jesus because He is faithful to fulfill His promises. (Hebrews 10:23). Don’t waver when the storms come and you feel you are being tossed on the waves. (James 1:6-8; Psalm 46:1-3) Christ will come to your aid when you are sinking in the trials of life, just as He held up Peter when he began to sink in the storm. (Matthew 14:28-31) You aren’t facing anything unique to you; every Christian goes through periods of trial, pain, and loss. (1 Corinthians 10:13) You aren’t alone. Jesus will never leave or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5-6; Matthew 28:18-20)
Satan spends all his time trying to make your walk with Christ as miserable as possible. The Devil knows your weaknesses and will not hesitate to exploit them. He knows physical and emotional trauma are hard for anyone to stand up under. But don’t waver; when he attacks, resist the urge to look away from Jesus. Stand firm, knowing your brothers and sisters around the world are suffering in similar or worse conditions. (1 Peter 5:9) Unite with them in determining to know nothing but the truth and the joy of being in Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:2; Philippians 3:8-11) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) The pain may remain, but the joy will drown it out.
When it comes to the grace of God, don’t waver. Take your stand in it because you know it is true. (1 Peter 5:12) No power of Hell, no evil of man, can ever separate us from the love of Jesus. (Romans 8:35-39) He is steadfast, faithful, and true. (2 Timothy 2:13; Revelation 19:11) You can, and must, bank your life on Him. Living for anything or anyone else only guarantees an eternity of suffering far worse than anything you will endure in this life. (Matthew 10:28; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9) Be strong, because the Lord is already victorious. (John 16:33; Colossians 2:15) You can’t lose as long as you hold on to the person of Jesus Christ and the truth of His gospel. (Hebrews 3:14; Colossians 1:22-23)
All of this is easier said than done. I know that. But you can accomplish it all through the power of the Spirit of God within you. (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:16-17) You never need to fear, because what can man do to you? (Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 56:4) If we live, we continue to serve Christ. If we die, we will be with Christ and have the privilege of serving Him for eternity in paradise. (Philippians 1:21-24; Revelation 22:1-5) We can’t lose as long as we don’t waver. Jesus is the Victor, and we are victorious in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:3-5) We may suffer for a little while here, but what is that compared to an eternity in glory with our Savior, our Lord, and our King? (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Don’t be afraid when this world comes for you. The Devil is thrashing in the throes of death, but he cannot harm your soul. (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 12:12) Take comfort in knowing Jesus will never let you go. (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39)