Did you know that following Jesus comes with a cost? Sometimes it’s outright persecution or even martyrdom. Often it’s more subtle than that, as the spiritual battles fought by believers are often unseen, but no less real. I believe there is something we can learn from these realities as we seek to follow Jesus and represent Him well in this world. And for that we turn to the Old Testament.
In 1 Chronicles 21, king David had committed a grave sin and brought God’s judgment upon the nation of Israel. To assuage God’s wrath, David offered atonement offerings to the Lord. He wanted to offer them at the threshing floor of a Jebusite man named Ornan (Araunah).
When David approached Ornan he offered him a generous sum of money for the threshing floor and the livestock to make his offering. Ornan wanted to give the materials to David for free. As commendable as Ornan’s desire was, David refused him saying, “No, I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the Lord what belongs to you or offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24, CSB) David understood that sacrifices to God needed to come from a heart full of contrition and love, and this was borne out by his refusal to offer to God that which did not cost him.
Lately I’ve been reading a remarkable book entitled Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Believe In Jesus (find it here). Written by Brother Andrew, a Dutch Bible smuggler and the founder of Open Doors International (link), it shows the price that Christians often pay to follow Jesus in Muslim-majority countries. Believers face the same kinds of difficulties in countries with Buddhist and/or Hindu majorities as well…and this is not surprising. We see through Scripture and the history of the Church that whenever the Church seeks to advance the Kingdom of God and storm the gates of Hell (Matthew 16:18), the forces of evil are unleashed and furiously fight against us. We are promised that the powers of Hell have been defeated and will not prevail, but the battles are intense and real costs are paid.
And as difficult as it is to follow Jesus in some places on earth, the cost is worth it. Whatever sacrifices we may make as we follow Jesus are offerings of worship, pleasing to Him. Suffering well and praising God through it demonstrates genuine faith, and as the Scripture says, our faith is “more precious than gold.” (1 Peter 1:7)
But it’s not only the persecuted Church in the non-Western world that pays a price to follow Jesus. It’s true of each and every believer. When anyone chooses to follow Jesus, that person will pay a price. And while we have not (yet) experienced overt persecution here in the West (and particularly in the United States, where I’m located), every Christian faces spiritual attack from the powers of darkness. And for those who have experienced this, it can be a heavy price, indeed.
When we choose to devote ourselves to prayer, to the ministry, and to the work of God’s Kingdom, the evil one and his forces go on the attack. And often it’s brutal. But this is exactly what God’s Word tells us will happen. Christian, if you’re facing discouragement, depression, anxiety and anger, and you’ve noticed these things get worse the more closely you seek to follow Jesus, don’t be surprised! It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, just the opposite. The fact that you’re being attacked shows that your life is making a difference for God’s Kingdom.
So be encouraged! Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has conquered all the forces of Hell, the world, and death itself. And that is our hope and anchor as Christians. So no matter what it costs, keep following Jesus! He will preserve you for He is faithful. Do not grow weary in well-doing. And pray for the persecuted Church. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering much around the world and they count on our prayers.
To pray more effectively for the persecuted Church, view Open Doors International’s World Watch List here.