But thou hast fully known my doctrine,
manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering,
charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions,
which came unto me at Antioch, at
Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions
I endured; but out them all the Lord
delivered me. Yea, and all that will
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.
2Timothy 3:10-12
Persecution: this brings fear, faint of heart, to think that you, or I may have to face persecution that is harsh, not just some jeering from those who dislike Christianity. If this does not bring fear I wonder if you really understand persecution and are living in some mystical spiritual world that makes you lose your humanity. To live a godly life means that you are not living according to the culture of this world and that alone makes you subject for persecution. Do you want a blessing? Sure! Here is the words of Jesus: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). You are blessed if you are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Not just going to Church, or some Bible study, or some Christian gathering. This may bring persecution but not for the right reason. It is righteousness that is manifested in one's life that will bring accusers to the table to persecute in one way or the other, not for what you are doing but for how you manifest righteousness.
Yesterday's blog was all about being determined in your life, to demolish those things that stand against the knowledge of God and to do this: "Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2Corinthians 10:4). Obedience, there is the crux of righteousness. Obedience means that you are trusting in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit to give you strength to face whatever comes in the form of persecution so that you stand strong for the Lord. Be obedient and leave the consequences to God. But, today, in too many churches, in too many Christian lives discipline is missing and has been replaced with work, work that has sprung forth by impulse. This is not to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not do things out of impulse, no, He did His work disciplined to the will of His Father. Too many people go to Church to have a religious experience and by this religious experience hurry by impulse to by this impulse into action. they are not allowing themselves to be disciplined to obey Jesus Christ. The emphasis is to but overemphasis upon practical work and those Christians who have disciplined themselves to Jesus Christ, live obedient lives, are often the criticized, persecuted in this manner and more persecution, harsh persecutions from those who wish to destroy Christianity. True earnestness is found in those who have put every thought, every project into captivity, those who wish to bring to to the world the Gospel. It is inconceivable, but true, that too many Christians are undisciplined and are working at the instigation of their own human nature, a nature that is not spiritualized by determined discipline.
Our human nature is still with us after our conversion to Jesus Christ. It is by determined disciplined that we grow in our sanctification and bringing every thought into captivity. We are committed to Jesus Christ for our salvation, is this not true, then why not be totally committed, and not allow sin to rule. An Authentic Christian recognizes their responsibility to be transformed by the renewing of their mind: Changing from the inside/out.
Fear is not wrong, it when fear disables a person to not be obedient to Jesus Christ. Do you believe that when you die that you are going to be with God, with Jesus Christ? Then what can man do to you? NOTHING!
And I have been with thee
whithersoever thou hast
walked and have cut off all
thine enemies from before
thee, and have made thee a
name like the name of the
great men that are in the earth.
1Chronicles 17:8
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