Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
1 Corinthians 4:8-10
We have all that we want and are rich with spiritual food because the Holy Spirit lives in us –and yet we often feel self-sufficient enough to think we do not need to seek righteousness or the favor of God. Emboldened of our own power and might, we forget that those who walk in Christ are not to be proud or haughty. We must remember with reverence and yielded heart, the price that was paid for the faith. Often, as the Church in Corinth, we pick and choose teachers who preach what we want to hear. Teachers throughout history have sometimes been filled more with education than they are with the spirit of God. Teaching out of their own intellect more than a yielding or surrender to God, we are led astray and distracted by pomp and circumstance. Just as the Church in Corinth, there still lies a danger in becoming lovers of self, rather than lovers of God and his grace and fullness.
The cross for all believers comes at a price, which is paved with suffering and always yielding. Are we to believe that we are above suffering when Christ suffered the ultimate price for us? Countless men and women throughout history have suffered and were persecuted for the faith.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14
Living victoriously we take the word of God, receive it into our hearts and make ourselves vessels which are filled by the Holy Spirit. With wisdom, knowledge and the indwelling joy of the Living Christ, we shall continue to hunger and thirst for God.
When we feel torn up, bruised, a bit worn out from the battle of the world, it’s okay to feel tired. We all get tired. We have all felt persecuted at some time in our lives. “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life“…Jesus is the way through the narrow gate and we find him there, waiting. His cost was heavy so that our burdens may be light. His love defies persecution. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Exhale today and find rest for your weary, battle scarred spirit. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your liberation from persecution. The weight of the cross was so that we could live victoriously through Him in all circumstances.
“For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13