““Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV)
Our identity is Jesus Christ. We receive this by having intimate relationship with Him. Follow His instructions. Then inherit all that belongs to Him. Four ‘I’ we keep in mind — identity, intimacy, instructions, inheritance. We have to entirely die to our flesh crucifying it on the Cross as Apostle Paul achieved that position. Paul explained, “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”” Galatians 2:19-21 (NKJV) He died to law and lived under the grace of God. Not keeping the law and work your way to reach God, but just having close relationship with Christ our Lord by God’s Grace. Exodus 20:18-21(NKJV)
Be glad with exceeding joy:
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NKJV)
Therefore it is guaranteed that you face fiery trials, when you follow all the Lord Jesus commanded, which are given as His Commandments, not Ten Commandments; but more than that partake Christ’s sufferings as explained above, they are definitely our cross to carry, which is not disease or lack, but bad treatment by people around us. Let us be clear. It is written, when people reproach — criticise, blame and express disapproval— we are blessed for the Holy Spirit glory rests on us. Praise the Name of Jesus. Amen.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NKJV)