Persecution – Page 9

Morning Musings: 1 John 3:13

March 5, 2018March 1, 20182 Comments

“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Make no mistake: If you are a follower of Jesus, the world hates you just like it hated Him. Now, this doesn’t mean that everyone who isn’t one of His followers as well hates you. You may (and should) have friends who are non-believers, some of whom may be very good friends. But, for anyone who is committed to the ends of the world (the elevation of self and the desires of the flesh above all else), they will hate the ends of the kingdom toward which you are working (the elevation of God and the humiliation of self), a hatred which will eventually be worked out through you.

Persecution should never surprise us as followers of Jesus. If we behave as He did, we will be treated as He was as well. This should be a mark of pride, knowing that we are on the right track.

Morning Musing: 1 Peter 2:20

February 16, 2018February 12, 2018Leave a comment

“For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Peter wrote to a group of believers who were facing unjust suffering. He wrote to them to offer them encouragement to keep on in their faith in spite of the things they were enduring. His message was and is so powerful that 1 Peter is still a favorite book of the Bible among people who are facing persecution today. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Titus 2:7-8

January 12, 2018January 8, 2018Leave a comment

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

There are calls to Christ-like behavior all over the New Testament. We see them in all kinds of different contexts. And most of them seem to offer little more reason for this aim than that it is right and honoring of God. Sometimes they focus on the benefit such behavior will bring to us. But there are times I’ve been left wondering: What else is there? Is there a reason to put so much effort and energy into this beyond the fact that it is right? Read the rest…

Morning Musings: 2 Timothy 3:12

January 5, 2018January 5, 2018Leave a comment

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Here is another place where we get realism instead of encouragement. Yet how important is this reminder for those who are following Jesus? If you want to follow Jesus well, you are going to face persecution of some kind. In fact, if you’re not facing at least some amount of persecution, you may want to look at how you’re doing in the faith. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: 2 Timothy 3:1

January 3, 2018January 2, 2018Leave a comment

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

This is something we see emphasized more indirectly in John’s Revelation as well. The closer we get to the end of this world, the worse things will get; the worse people will get. Read the rest…