Devotional For The Month!
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
(2nd Timothy 3:12) (NIV)
George Whitefield shares a candid, unpopular truth that many Christians would rather avoid, but all Christians need to hear.
Persecution is inevitable for the godly. If we never experience evil spoken of us, how can we know whether we can endure contempt,
and seek only that honor which comes from above?
If we never have persecutors, how can we ever exercise our passive graces?
How can all of those Christian precepts be put into practice?
How can we love, pray for, and do good to those who spitefully use us?
How can we overcome evil with good? In short, how can we know we love God better than life itself?
I do not mean to imply that all are persecuted to the same degree.
No, this would be contrary both to Scripture and experience.
Not all Christians are called to suffer every kind of persecution But, all Christians should be willing and prepared for it.
Some may live in more peaceful times of the church than others, yet all Christians, in all ages,
will find by their own experience that they must in some degree or another suffer persecution.
Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33, NIV).
Friend, if we stay close to Jesus, hidden in His shadow, we will also overcome the world.
(Exodus 11:1-21) (Luke 14) (Job 29)
(1st Corinthians 15) (KJV)
