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This is hardcore
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"God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember the ancient prophets were persecuted too. Matthew 5:11-12 (and in Luke 6:20-38)
...You will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me... Matthew 24:9
"When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you dont. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.
Dont you remember what I told you? A servant is not greater than the master. Since they they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you..." John 15:18-24
I have spoken to people who forget this. Living here in a land of peace and contentment we dont know what it is like to stand in faith. At least not in persecution, even unto death.
One person in particular, I had to remind her people will hate you. She had it in her mind that she should be loved by all. She began to become secluded because of this feeling, not wanting to go out into the world.
Perhaps it has to do with us christians preaching to others on love and acceptance. That we leave out the recruiting part, that hey you are going to be hated! Maybe even killed. Why? Because of who you love. It makes you not like the rest of the world, and it makes them feel judged. And they dont like that.
God's word is very powerful. And it really hurts unless you have a repentant heart.
God Bless
...You will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me... Matthew 24:9
"When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you dont. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.
Dont you remember what I told you? A servant is not greater than the master. Since they they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you..." John 15:18-24
I have spoken to people who forget this. Living here in a land of peace and contentment we dont know what it is like to stand in faith. At least not in persecution, even unto death.
One person in particular, I had to remind her people will hate you. She had it in her mind that she should be loved by all. She began to become secluded because of this feeling, not wanting to go out into the world.
Perhaps it has to do with us christians preaching to others on love and acceptance. That we leave out the recruiting part, that hey you are going to be hated! Maybe even killed. Why? Because of who you love. It makes you not like the rest of the world, and it makes them feel judged. And they dont like that.
God's word is very powerful. And it really hurts unless you have a repentant heart.
God Bless
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* * * * * * *
Yea ,
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. <-----> Hebrews 12:1-4
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also . <-----> Luke 6:28+29
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. <-----> Revelation 20:4
If I am going to " lose my head " , I can't think of a Better Person to " lose it for " , than Jesus !!!
You know , He can cause " the maimed to be whole " !!!
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. <-----> Matthew 15:30+31
And should it be any wonder ?
That He Who created us , can also repair and upgrade us !!!
Thank You Lord !!!
wm
Yea ,
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. <-----> Hebrews 12:1-4
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also . <-----> Luke 6:28+29
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. <-----> Revelation 20:4
If I am going to " lose my head " , I can't think of a Better Person to " lose it for " , than Jesus !!!
You know , He can cause " the maimed to be whole " !!!
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. <-----> Matthew 15:30+31
And should it be any wonder ?
That He Who created us , can also repair and upgrade us !!!
Thank You Lord !!!
wm
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JPPT1974
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We do need to have a repentant heart
Sadly though a lot of people don't
Repent and say that they are sorry
Because they think they don't need to be!
Sadly though a lot of people don't
Repent and say that they are sorry
Because they think they don't need to be!
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Hardcore works! After all, it's His plan! Thanks for the thread, and for the scripture responses! God is in control and all is well with my soul, all praise and thanks to Him!
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L
LifeInChrist
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I agree with and appreciate the replies made so far in encouraging a person to face persecutions and suffering for following Christ.
I would also like to add that today God needs Living Witnesses who would be willing to die daily for Him rather than Martyrs who would die once and can no longer be further witnesses for Christ on earth.
1 Corinthians 15:31 - I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
IMHO The hardcore thing is to follow Christ onto Spiritual Perfection and not in Asceticism or Penances or in facing Persecutions alone. Even Fundamentalists of other religions face persecutions and die as martyrs for their cause and People of other religions also lay great emphasis in all kinds of Asceticism and Penances for their salvation. Therefore, imo God does not lay emphasis on such things alone.
Matthew 18:1-4 - At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:11 - But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
According to the above Bible verses, Jesus did not say that, "He that is persecuted the most is Greatest in Heaven". He said, he that humbles himself like a little child and is transformed into a new person-in-Christ is considered Greatest in Heaven.
This is according to the Divine Truth -
He that humbles himself shall be exalted and
He that exalts himself shall be humbled.
It is quite possible that we can be lifted up with pride having faced sufferings and persecutions for Christ and then God needs to humble us when He notices that pride in us.
The following verses clearly convey to us that the hardcore thing is to follow Christ onto Spiritual Perfection -
Phillippians 3:12 - Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:19 - And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 4:13 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The Bible says God is Love and that the Greatest thing is Love.
So, to grow in Human Love and Divine Love aspects humbling ourselves like a little child is the hardcore thing.
The Lord Bless you.
I would also like to add that today God needs Living Witnesses who would be willing to die daily for Him rather than Martyrs who would die once and can no longer be further witnesses for Christ on earth.
1 Corinthians 15:31 - I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
IMHO The hardcore thing is to follow Christ onto Spiritual Perfection and not in Asceticism or Penances or in facing Persecutions alone. Even Fundamentalists of other religions face persecutions and die as martyrs for their cause and People of other religions also lay great emphasis in all kinds of Asceticism and Penances for their salvation. Therefore, imo God does not lay emphasis on such things alone.
Matthew 18:1-4 - At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:11 - But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
According to the above Bible verses, Jesus did not say that, "He that is persecuted the most is Greatest in Heaven". He said, he that humbles himself like a little child and is transformed into a new person-in-Christ is considered Greatest in Heaven.
This is according to the Divine Truth -
He that humbles himself shall be exalted and
He that exalts himself shall be humbled.
It is quite possible that we can be lifted up with pride having faced sufferings and persecutions for Christ and then God needs to humble us when He notices that pride in us.
The following verses clearly convey to us that the hardcore thing is to follow Christ onto Spiritual Perfection -
Phillippians 3:12 - Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:19 - And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 4:13 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The Bible says God is Love and that the Greatest thing is Love.
So, to grow in Human Love and Divine Love aspects humbling ourselves like a little child is the hardcore thing.
The Lord Bless you.
Upvote
0
Excellent explanation of Godly truth. Thank you for expanding on this message, so that it considers the whole counsel of God.
The Lord bless you as well, and keep us both hardcore for Him.
Your sister in Christ and hardcore humility,
EarthMomma
The Lord bless you as well, and keep us both hardcore for Him.
Your sister in Christ and hardcore humility,
EarthMomma
Upvote
0
There is no duality in Jesus .
For the spirit of a " Living Witness " is in one accord with the spirit of a " faithful martyr " .
As it is written :
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. <-----> Galatians 5:24+25
Did not Jesus humble Himself as a " little child " when He said -
...O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. <-----> Matthew 26:39
And wasn't this humbling , a humbling unto acceptance of dying on The Cross ?
And what does Scripture say regarding this , in terms of greatness ?
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. <-----> Philippians 2:8-11
Wherefore , after Christ's own Example , it is said -
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. <-----> Romans 8:16+17
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: <-----> 2nd Timothy 2:11+12
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; <-----> 2nd Corinthians 4:17
A true martyr's witness doesn't die when they do !
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. <-----> Hebrews 11:4
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. <-----> Luke 11:51
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. <-----> Revelation 6:9-11
Regarding Love being the greatest - Jesus also said :
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. <-----> John 15:13
No duality here between love and martyrdom !
But herein may indeed be where the duality lies .
The average young and vigorous man wonders how anyone could be a martyr ? but the dominant question among those who are much afflicted by great age , is why would anyone not be a martyr !
Quick definitions (martyrdom)
noun: death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of a religious faith or cause
noun: any experience that causes intense suffering
Dying to self is a form of martyrdom .
Therefore , so is marriage , and being a parent directly linked to martyrdom .
In fact , it is the absence of the spirit of martyrdom which has left many of us unprepared to " finish the course " and remain faithful to our vows . As it is written :
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. <-----> Acts 20:22-24
As for " other religions " etc . , many which are called " martyrs " are not martyrs at all.
Christ set forth the example of a True Martyr : One Who is not guilty of bloodshed ,or anything remotely worthy of death , and Who not only doesn't lash back out at their wrongful persecutors and murderers , but Who even prays for their forgiveness .
People who die in the process of attempting to kill or injure others are not even close to being true martyrs .
Stephen in the Book of Acts Ch. 7 , follows Christ's Example ... and there are many others , most of which are not specifically mentioned by name in Scripture ... but they all share in The Likeness of Christ , His Nature , and His Blameless and Harmless Manner among men , even the ones who evilly mistreat and slay them .
Being easy isn't easy ; but it's even harder to be hard !
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. <-----> Matthew 6:14+15
... For it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. <-----> 1st Corinthians 9:15
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. <-----> Revelation 12:10+11
...Prepare to meet thy God... <---> From Amos 4:12
May The Lord Be Pleased To Bless and Keep .
wm
For the spirit of a " Living Witness " is in one accord with the spirit of a " faithful martyr " .
As it is written :
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. <-----> Galatians 5:24+25
Did not Jesus humble Himself as a " little child " when He said -
...O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. <-----> Matthew 26:39
And wasn't this humbling , a humbling unto acceptance of dying on The Cross ?
And what does Scripture say regarding this , in terms of greatness ?
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. <-----> Philippians 2:8-11
Wherefore , after Christ's own Example , it is said -
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. <-----> Romans 8:16+17
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: <-----> 2nd Timothy 2:11+12
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; <-----> 2nd Corinthians 4:17
A true martyr's witness doesn't die when they do !
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. <-----> Hebrews 11:4
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. <-----> Luke 11:51
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. <-----> Revelation 6:9-11
Regarding Love being the greatest - Jesus also said :
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. <-----> John 15:13
No duality here between love and martyrdom !
But herein may indeed be where the duality lies .
The average young and vigorous man wonders how anyone could be a martyr ? but the dominant question among those who are much afflicted by great age , is why would anyone not be a martyr !
Quick definitions (martyrdom)
noun: death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of a religious faith or cause
noun: any experience that causes intense suffering
Dying to self is a form of martyrdom .
Therefore , so is marriage , and being a parent directly linked to martyrdom .
In fact , it is the absence of the spirit of martyrdom which has left many of us unprepared to " finish the course " and remain faithful to our vows . As it is written :
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. <-----> Acts 20:22-24
As for " other religions " etc . , many which are called " martyrs " are not martyrs at all.
Christ set forth the example of a True Martyr : One Who is not guilty of bloodshed ,or anything remotely worthy of death , and Who not only doesn't lash back out at their wrongful persecutors and murderers , but Who even prays for their forgiveness .
People who die in the process of attempting to kill or injure others are not even close to being true martyrs .
Stephen in the Book of Acts Ch. 7 , follows Christ's Example ... and there are many others , most of which are not specifically mentioned by name in Scripture ... but they all share in The Likeness of Christ , His Nature , and His Blameless and Harmless Manner among men , even the ones who evilly mistreat and slay them .
Being easy isn't easy ; but it's even harder to be hard !
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. <-----> Matthew 6:14+15
... For it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. <-----> 1st Corinthians 9:15
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. <-----> Revelation 12:10+11
...Prepare to meet thy God... <---> From Amos 4:12
May The Lord Be Pleased To Bless and Keep .
wm
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0
