A fact of life.
Of the believers' lives.
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, (II Timothy 3:12-14a)Recently, it seems there has been a real increase in the occasions that Christians are being persecuted. In countries across the ocean, believers are asked if they will deny their faith; they know full well that if they stand strong, they will be beheaded, set on fire, or executed by some means.
Perhaps it's not yet come to that in the Western Hemisphere, but I feel it may be coming. Even now, lips curl with disdain, and voices sneer at Christians who "dare" to oppose the groupthink of the day. To stand up for Christ can mean a person is ostracized at school or at work. Perhaps openly mocked. Passed over for awards, scholarships, and promotions. The day may soon come that we will face bodily harm or even death for our Savior.
And the evildoers? Well, they will go on and on, from bad to worse, and it may seem that they never get their "just rewards." Oh, but they will!
According to what they have done, so will he repayAs for us, let's keep that "attitude of gratitude" as we deal with trouble and persecution.....
wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; (Isaiah 59:18)
My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. (James 1:2-4)Yes, Lord, I want to be all that You want me to be!
whoa! Inspired! Thank you. Sending to others.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to my audio Bible this morning, which I let run from one book into the next and then start over. It is currently in the minor prophets..... oh how current it sounds. Habbukuk has a passage that I love. At the end of the book, after all the predictions of destruction, he can still say -
ReplyDeleteThough the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.