PERSECUTION

Today's reading:  "All who want to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Tim. 3:12)


Paul writes to his young fellow-servant and believer, Timothy, that all who follow Jesus will be persecuted.  Why would this be the case?


The scriptures remind us many times that if we are identified with Jesus, just as the world persecuted Him, they will persecute us. How could we expect anything to be different?  The powers of Satan in the world don't want people to be told they are going down the wrong path, so power is let loose to persecute Christians.  The worldly will love and seek after money.  They may become boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman slanderers, haters, haters of good, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. (2 Tim. 3:2)


Without God, one act encourages another, and often, acts spiral down to more abusive acts than before as that is the way evil seems to work.  Only God can stop the spiraling affect by forgiving a repentant spirit.


If my faith and yours shine the light of Christ on those who follow the darkness of Satan, we can be sure there will be a retaliation to try to destroy us. When evil acts persist, so is the work of Satan persisting.


Thus, Christ's people, you and me, must become empowered with the light of Christ.  If our faith shines the light of Christ on those who follow the darkness of Satan we can be sure  there will be retaliation to try and destroy us.


Lord Jesus, Empower us when we are persecuted for you that we might never waver from our faith.  Amen.


Jo INMN