“You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian.” —2 Timothy 3:1, TLB
The gospel is good news, but it is not always greeted with applause. The more you live like Jesus, the more you will be treated like Him.
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12)
Persecution is not always loud. It can whisper through rejection, exclusion, misunderstanding. Whether the fire is a furnace or a flicker, do what scripture implores us a few verses later and: “…continue in what you have learned.” (2 Timothy 3:14)
Don’t bow. Don’t blend. Don’t be deceived. Stand! The devil is a liar, yes. But every believer must know him as a deceiver and govern their watch and standards accordingly, for Satan will come with false comforts, false peace, counterfeit joys. But we believers have a better portion, a better hope and a better home. We only need to make standing on His Word our standard. When it comes to hardship, respond as Paul admonishes:
“…endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4)
When you got born again, you gave your life to Christ, not man. You were not born again to be popular, but to be faithful to the One who has loved you since before time began. In that faithfulness is joy unspeakable- joy that you will enjoy in in the midst of hardship and the fiery flame of persecution.
Pause & Reflect:
* Where do you sense pressure to compromise your convictions?
* Have you counted the cost of being a faithful witness/example of a believer (1 Timothy 4:12)?
* What promises/ track record of God can anchor you when the fire comes?
Prayer: Father, fortify me for what is eternal. Let me not fear fire, but forgetfulness. Let me not long for comfort, but for the crown of life. Make me bold in grace and steadfast in truth. Let me love You more than applause, and live for Your eyes alone. Amen.
I commend you to God and the WORD of His GRACE. I call you BLESSED. I call you NATIONS
P.S. Join us for this years Jesus’ Feet Camp meeting
