Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 

Acts 26:28-29 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” 

1 Peter 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 

The other day we were on the golf course, and we were discussing our Lord as we often do, when Greg said: “you know, I believe that early believers expected to die for their decision to follow Jesus.”  That concept has certainly entered into my mind, and it has even entered into my posts a time or two in the past. 

Luke 14:26  “If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples. (GOD’S WORD)

We come to Jesus not knowing exactly what the cost to us will be, but knowing for certain that there will be a cost.  Here Jesus says to all who are listening that that cost may include our own life.  Then He adds:

Luke 14:31  “Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers? (GOD’S WORD)

Jesus was up front with us. He made clear: don’t you know that this battle for souls, including your own on this earth could cost you everything here in order to have have the victorious life with Me in My Kingdom and later in My Fathers house.  

Unless we come to Him knowing the cost; then we may as others have done, just simply fade or fall away.  We are the soil on which the seed of the gospel has fallen.  Just like back then, the heart of man and woman is either receptive to His message or it is rebellious toward it.  Just like it was for Jesus, believers will see persecution from the rebellious of this world.  Likely the greatest persecutions do come from the religious rebellious.  They and others like them will oppose the gospel.  Jesus has even told us that these will come “in My name”.  And they will be claiming: “I am the Christ”. And they will deceive many.  This relates back to the beginning of His message when He told His disciples: “do not be deceived”.  

We (His disciples)will not be deceived by any of the antichrists in this world, but by those claiming to be speaking in Jesus name. Without having a total reliance on the Holy Spirit (the comforter, the teacher, the counselor that Jesus sent us; then we cannot have His discernment.  And His discernment is the way to His truth.  Walk Ye in it.