From the prophets of old, to the faithful martyrs in Rome, and up to this present
hour; the price has always been high. The entire 11th Chapter of the Book of
Hebrews is a testimony of the cost that the faithful paid to follow the LORD.
The Lord Jesus told His disciples,ìIf the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated
you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but
because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of
the world, therefore the world hateth you.î John 15:18-19
Does the world embrace you because you celebrate the tradition of Christmas?
Is Christmas a common thread that you have with those that do not hold to the
biblical doctrines of Christ? Are the common rituals of Easter, such as egg hunts
and bunnies a part of your ìResurrectionî celebration? A popular phrase during
St. Patrickís Day is ìEverybodyís Irish on St. Pattyís Dayî. It could well be said
that everyoneís a ìChristianî during Christmas and Easter!
The cost for following the Lord Jesus in truth is everything!ìAnd [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.î
Luke 9:23
ìFor whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall
lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.î
Mark 8:35
But considering the price that the Lord Jesus paid to redeem the souls of men,
could anything the Lord ask of His disciples be too high?
ìI beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.î Romans 12:1 (emphasis mine)
The Lord promises to be with us in all things!