I was asked a serious question several weeks ago and today I put that same question before you for you to consider: When you gave your heart to Christ, did you mean it?
If you answered yes, I have bad news for you. However, I also have great news for you. Bad news first, you will suffer. Ephesians 6:19-20 says "[pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Paul was in literal chains, in prison. Nonetheless, Jesus told his disciples "remember when the world hates you they hated me first" (John 15:18). There is nothing vague about that statement. We will be hated and hatred leads to suffering.
The good news is we are coheirs with Christ and one day this painful world will pass away and we will go to a place of no more pain, crying or dying (Revelation 21:4).
Each morning I have to look myself in the face and ask: Did you mean it when you gave your heart to Christ? When I answer yes, I cannot be surprised by hatred, suffering or trials. But I can hold on to the promise that I will one day be in the presence of the Almighty.
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