 |
| Source: Google Images |
When the early church faced persecution because
of their faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world,
they didn't pray it away, they didn't bind and lose, instead they rejoiced for
being counted worthy to suffer for His name's sake. They prayed that God would
grant them boldness to keep on proclaiming the gospel by performing signs,
wonders and miracles in the name of Jesus. The result: the church grew
exponentially...
4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who
believed grew to about five
thousand. – Acts 4:4 NIV
14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were
added to their number. – Acts 5:14 NIV
7 So the word of God spread. The
number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became
obedient to the faith. – Acts 6:7 NIV
The truth is, if you want
to live a godly life in Christ you will suffer persecution, you can count on
it. The Word of God is replete with accounts of believers being persecuted and
some even being killed. Jesus did not promise us immunity from persecution, He
promised to be with us always even in persecution and because He is with us we
are victorious in the grand scheme of things.
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer
[take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the
world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
– John 16:33 AMP
In this world we will
face persecution and it will come in different forms and shapes but remember, the enemy's
intent is always to get us to renounce our faith, turn away from Jesus, and
draw back. He wants to wear us down hoping we'll eventually give in and
collapse. And if we comply, he then incapacitates us with fear, guilt and
condemnation to the point where we walk away from God instead of running back
to the one whose steadfast love towards us never ceases.
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted – 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV
Jesus already prayed for
our protection (John 17: 11- 20),
and He also vanquished the enemy and all his cohorts. Nothing can separate us
from His love, the apostle Paul boldly declares:
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or
hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in
all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. - Romans 8: 35, 37 NIV.
| Source: Google Images |
Beloved, instead of
compromising or cowering in fear when facing persecution, be bold, let your
light shine even brighter, cheerfully let the love of God within you flow out
to your persecutors counting it all joy to be worthy of persecution for His
Name’s sake. Your crown is awaiting!
Beloved, count it all joy!
No comments:
Post a Comment