“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines
the course of your life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23

“Matters of the Heart: is a weekly blog that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart, the issues we all face but sometimes don’t want to talk about. The heart is the programming center of our lives. What is programmed into our heart will affect every area of our lives. Learn how to discover what is in your heart and how to program your heart for success.

AN INVITATION TO YOU: To follow this blog via Facebook, click here. If you are not on Facebook or would prefer to subscribe via a different venue, please check the sidebar to the right for subscription options. Thank you!

___________________________________________________

Shortly after I became a Christian at the age of 25, I shared my born again experience with my best friend, my closest friend since the fifth grade.  Surely, I thought, she would be eager to know more about what had happened to me.

Imagine my shock when, instead of interest, she severed all contact with me. Sadly, to this day, 47 years later, she still refuses to respond to my many attempts at communication.

Yet, my best friend was not the only friend I lost when I became a Christian. One of my best college friends, a good friend of four years, responded as follows to a letter I had written her about my born again experience (I paraphrase):  “Don’t you ever write to me again about being born again and about Jesus Christ!” Another shocking experience for me.

 Yet, had I known God’s Word better at the time, I would not have been at all surprised at the responses of both of my friends. Our Lord warns us that we will suffer as Christians. We will be persecuted, whether in word or in deed. There is a price to pay for bearing the Name of Jesus Christ. Yet, the price I paid is nothing compared to those of our brothers and sisters around the world who have given their very lives for Christ. 

As the days grow darker, persecution against Christians will increase. Are you prepared to be persecuted for Christ? If you stand up for Him, it is not a question of “if” but of “when” you will be persecuted. You may not be required to give your life for Jesus, but if you were, would you gladly do so?

Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ over the centuries have died for Christ. Many are dying even as I write. In fact, it is estimated that the number of Christians being martyred today is greater than at any other time in human history. 

If we are true followers of Jesus Christ, we will be ready to pay the price for following Him, no matter what that price may be. 

I continue to pray for my friends, hoping that one day they will see the truth and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Meanwhile, I praise God for the great privilege of bearing His Name. I trust you do as well.

Now, it’s YOUR turn:  Have you been persecuted for bearing the Name of Christ?  Please leave a comment in the box below.

TWEETABLE: “Paying the Price of Persecution” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)