Matthew 10:23, "But when they persecute you in this
city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have
gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
MATTHEW 10:16-26
Persecution is an inevitable part of the
Christian life. Persecution is from Satan and is designed to uproot
God's Word in our lives by taking our eyes off Jesus. We should not
think it is strange to be persecuted. "All that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12).
We can actually rejoice because we are being persecuted, for Jesus' sake, knowing that the Lord
will be with us in the midst of the persecution and that there will be more than ample reward when we stand before Him.
(Heb. 11:26). NIV 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
Persecution is an indication that the ones doing the persecuting are under conviction.
They realize that they are not living what your words or actions are advocating and so, in defense of self, they attack the ones whom they perceive to be the source of their conviction.
If this is understood, it makes persecution much easier to take. Because they aren't just mad at you; they are convicted to protect their wrong actions....
** This has been the case ever since time, when someone is either caught in crime, shame or sin - their first defense is to attack those who bring the charges {even though the charges are TRUE!}
It is a case of attack the true rather than recognize the wrong done and repent and change ...
ODD that so many would fight the truth rather than accept it for the better choice and become supportive of it!
When the Gospel is presented in the power of the Holy Spirit, there will always be either a revival
or a riot, but not indifference.
There are many forms of persecution. Having your life threatened because of your faith in Jesus is one way you can be persecuted, but it is not the most damaging. History shows that the Church has always flourished under persecution with increased numbers and zeal. During intense, life-threatening persecution, people's priorities get straightened out and the Lord assumes
His rightful place.
This always works for our good, regardless of what our outward circumstances might be.
Remember it is not you that they are persecuting, but rather Christ in you.
We can actually rejoice because we are being persecuted, for Jesus' sake, knowing that the Lord
will be with us in the midst of the persecution and that there will be more than ample reward when we stand before Him.
(Heb. 11:26). NIV 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
Persecution is an indication that the ones doing the persecuting are under conviction.
They realize that they are not living what your words or actions are advocating and so, in defense of self, they attack the ones whom they perceive to be the source of their conviction.
If this is understood, it makes persecution much easier to take. Because they aren't just mad at you; they are convicted to protect their wrong actions....
** This has been the case ever since time, when someone is either caught in crime, shame or sin - their first defense is to attack those who bring the charges {even though the charges are TRUE!}
It is a case of attack the true rather than recognize the wrong done and repent and change ...
ODD that so many would fight the truth rather than accept it for the better choice and become supportive of it!
When the Gospel is presented in the power of the Holy Spirit, there will always be either a revival
or a riot, but not indifference.
There are many forms of persecution. Having your life threatened because of your faith in Jesus is one way you can be persecuted, but it is not the most damaging. History shows that the Church has always flourished under persecution with increased numbers and zeal. During intense, life-threatening persecution, people's priorities get straightened out and the Lord assumes
His rightful place.
This always works for our good, regardless of what our outward circumstances might be.
Remember it is not you that they are persecuting, but rather Christ in you.
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