Jesus Himself made it very hard to be one of His followers. He was very clear about what it would cost to follow Him. Just so there is no ambiguity… no misunderstanding… no confusion, this is what you can expect as a Christian who follows Christ. If you can’t handle this… then don’t follow Christ.:
You will be persecuted (John 15:20),
Wolves will hunt you down to kill and destroy you… so be wise (Mt 10:16),
You will be put before judges and punished (Mt 10:17),
You will be dragged before political leaders to speak for Christ… but don’t worry about what to say (Mt 10:18-20),
Your family will betray you (Mt 10:21a),
You will be put do death… some will literally die (Mt 10:21b),
You will be hated by many people (Mt 10:22)
NOTE: IF you endure and not fall away, your salvation will be proved as genuine (Mt 10:22b),
You will be run off from towns {And churches if you’re in ministry} (Mt 10:23),
You will be criticized and called all kinds of names (Mt 10:24-25),
When these things happen, REJOICE (Mt 5:10-12).
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Matthew 5:10 (Jesus) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.