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PERSECUTION, SUFFERING & SACRIFICE
These are not popular topics for the Western church. However, they are core virtues Christ taught every believer to wholeheartedly embrace, and we are exhorted to do so with great joy. Christ demonstrated and taught how to live a life of persecution, suffering and sacrifice that is pleasing to God. He made it very clear that for those who are not willing to count the cost, they cannot be His disciple (see Luke 14:33). If you are going to follow Christ you must be prepared for a life of persecution, suffering and sacrifice.