Galatians 5:22,23, Do radiate the fruits of Spirit and the light of Christ?

The Great Cost

Matthew 5:10,11,12 Am I persecuted for the sake of Christ or for my own opinion or some other reason? If it is for Christ, then this cost is worth experiencing.

I must be different enough from the world and popular culture so that there is a friction, a sense of uncomfortableness. The natural state of the world is enmity with God. If I never feel different, than I need to ask myself about my spirit.

Matthew 26:31,32,33,34,35 The disciples intended to be supportive and committed until the persecution came in an unexpected way.

Matthew 26:69,70,71,72,73,74,75 I am going to be tested. There will be persecution with my choices.

James 2:20 The flesh wars against the spirit. My natural (fleshly) inclination is to seek peace. Persecution takes peace. If I am persecuted for the Gospel's sake, it may take the peace from my flesh but not from my spirit. Peter was torn between two worlds; when his fleshly peace was taken, he denied Jesus to get back to center. I need to recognize when this is happening so I don’t deny God.

Jeremiah 6:14

Matthew 5:6 The spirit seeks to be at peace with God. The flesh seeks to be at peace with others.

When I lean toward the world and become satiated, then I don’t have a hunger or need for God. Hunger and thirst for righteousness!

If I don't have a hunger for worship, a burden, a desire for the kingdom of God, and have a constant appetite for the world, this doesn’t leave room for the Spirit.

I need to know what I am for, not just what I am against. What do I love about living for God? This is something I can stand on. If I love what I am for, I have a strong defense.

God makes a way to go through, whatever the cost is.