It is erroneous to think that because we have committed our lives to believe in Christ our saviour by the glory of God, things will move on smoothly in our life. Quite the contrary, trials are the hallmark of discipleship after the faith of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. In fact, Jesus explicitly sealed faith trials as a requirement for discipleship.
Jesus explains to his disciples saying: “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”. One must “lose his life” for the sake of Jesus and the gospel if they are to save it, and none would be worthy of him if they do not meet this condition for discipleship. (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24: Mark 8:34-35; Luke 14:27; John; 15:20).
Denying oneself and forgoing the things you value in life, and taking up one’s own “cross” through various manifestations of challenges in the walk of the faith is a necessary condition for discipleship. Therefore, those endeavouring in the work of the gospel and the name of Christ, should readily “commend themselves in every way in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities”. (2 Corinthians 6:4)
2. PERSECUTION AND DISCIPLESHIP
