REAL DISCIPLE: Be One, Make One — The Cost of Devotion & Courage
If you’re going to make disciples, you must first be one.
Real discipleship is devotion, dedication, and the courage to follow Jesus even when it costs something. Part of that journey is facing persecution.
Jesus Never Hid the Fine Print
“In the world ye shall have tribulation…” — John 16:33
“If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you…” — John 15:20
“You will be hated for My name’s sake…” — Matthew 10:22
Jesus didn’t whisper the warnings. He told the truth from the beginning:
Following Him invites resistance.
Modern Persecution Is Real
At a U.S.–hosted UN event, Nicki Minaj said:
“Christians in Nigeria are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed… simply because of how they pray.”
A Christian monitoring group reports 7,000 Christians killed in Nigeria in the first 220 days of 2025.
Persecution is not imaginary — it’s global, current, and costly.
Persecution Comes in Many Forms
Violent: killings, attacks, imprisonment.
Verbal: lies, mockery, online abuse.
Social: being ignored, excluded, treated coldly.
I once rebuked a man I respected who was planning to leave his wife. He never spoke to me again. That is also persecution.
When you said yes to Christ, you said yes to a battle.
Why the World Persecutes Disciples
Because light exposes darkness.
“Men loved darkness rather than light…” — John 3:19
Righteousness exposes unrighteousness. Truth exposes lies.
Cain attacked Abel because Abel’s life exposed his sin. That spirit has not changed.
The world says:
If you stay silent → we won’t attack you
If you compromise → you’ll be safe
If you dim your light → you’ll fit in
But disciples don’t dim the light.
They shine.
The Antichrist Spirit Today
Revelation warns that the end-time spirit says:
Bow. Blend in. Be quiet — or else.
Jesus said:
“Think not that I came to bring peace… but a sword.” — Matthew 10:34
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you…” — Luke 6:26
If the whole world loves you, you’re probably not standing for Christ.
When the Battle Makes You Weary
Persecution can create spiritual PTSD:
Emotional shock
Weariness
Desire to give up
Battle fatigue
Even Elijah cried:
“It is enough! Lord, take my life…” — 1 Kings 19:4
But God renews strength.
“…They shall run and not be weary…” — Isaiah 40:31
Your prayer must be:
“Lord, give me courage to stand.”
“Lord, strengthen me to do what’s right.”
“Lord, renew my spirit in the battle.”
And Jesus commands:
“Pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
You Are Not Alone
God fights with you.
God sustains you.
God finishes what He starts.
There is a crown for the disciple who endures.
BE ONE. MAKE ONE.
The world doesn’t need more casual Christians.
It needs real disciples — bold, faithful, unashamed.
Be one.
Then make one.