Paul and Timothy, An encouragement to not be ashamed of the gospel.

Luke 14:25-26, tells us, "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple."

Our Lord Jesus Christ never tried to see people saved without them realizing the cost.
In all cultures and all nations, when a person gets saved they are renouncing ownership of their own lives. They become, by faith, united with Christ in His death and His resurrection.To be united with Him in His death, means persecution, it is suffering for Christ, as He died to destroy sin, and sacrificed his life by shedding His blood, so we by His Spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh

 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have (Philippians 1:27-30).

The Greek word for the above word struggle is sunatheleto which means the Philippians were Paul's fellow athletes sharing in the struggle to win the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus.  We should realize that the Christian life is a call to action, to boldly work with all our might  to preach the gospel to others.  It is not a life of just let Go and Let God.  Please see persecution.com 














http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187