Tag: Live Godly … Shall Suffer Persecution

Live Godly … Shall Suffer Persecution Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Timothy 3:10-13 But thou have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

‘Suffer persecution’ – Eight facts about Christian suffering (continues): Besides the greater glory to come the Christian has the Holy Spirit upon him now to enable him to endure (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:26-27). Christian sufferings glorify God (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:17-18). It is an honour, not a shame, to suffer as a Christian (1Pet. 4:16). Though sufferings begin with Christians, they end in an eternal weight of damnation to the ungodly (1Pet. 4:17-18). Sufferings should be borne by Christians, in patience as in the will of God, realizing that God is always faithful to His own in their sufferings (1Pet. 4:19; 1Cor. 10:13).

Ten rewards for Christian suffering: Greater glory in heaven (2Cor. 4:17). Eternal consolation (2Cor. 1:7). Making Jesus known (2Cor. 4:11). Live a dying life that others might live (2Cor. 4:12). Making grace manifest (2Cor. 4:15). Guarantee of judgment (2Thess. 1:5). Reign with Christ (2Tim. 2:12). Spirit upon us (1Pet. 4:14). Glory to God (1Pet. 4:16). Great joy (1Pet. 4:13-14).

Christian suffering DOES NOT consist of suffering for murder, for being an evildoer or for being a busybody (1Pet. 4:15) or for suffering for any crime listed in Romans 1:18-32; 1Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21.

Christian suffering DOES consist of persecution for righteousness (Matt. 5:10; 13:21; Mark 10:30; John 15:20). Revilings and slander (Matt. 5:11-12; 10:25; Acts 13:45; 1Pet. 4:4). False accusations (Matt. 10:17-20). Scourgings for Christ (Matt. 10:17). Rejection by people (Matt. 10:14). Hatred by the world (Matt. 10:22; John 15:18-21). Hatred by relatives (Matt. 10:21-36). Martyrdoms (Matt. 10:28; Acts 7:58). Temptations (Luke 8:13; Jas. 1:2-16). Shame for His name (Acts 5:41). Imprisonments (Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4). Tribulations (Acts 14:22; 2Thess. 1:4). Being a spectacle to people (1Cor. 4:9). Misunderstanding, necessities, defamation, and despisings (1Cor. 4:10-13). Trouble, affliction, distresses, tumults, labours, watchings, fastings, and evil reports (2Cor. 6:8-10; 11:26-28). Reproaches (Heb. 13:13; 1Pet. 4:14). Trials (1Pet. 1:7; 4:12). Groaning and travailing because of the curse (Rom. 8:17-26).

Live Godly … Shall Suffer Persecution Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Timothy 3:10-13 But thou have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

‘But thou have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience …’ Nine things of Paul fully known: Doctrine [Greek: didaskalia] teaching. Manner of life – conduct because of my teachings (3:10). Purpose in propagating these teachings. Faith in God and my teachings. Longsuffering with those who oppose my teachings. Divine love motivates my life. Patience in suffering for my teachings.Persecutions I endure for Christ (3:11). Afflictions [Greek: pathema] translated as “suffering” (Rom. 8:18; 2Cor. 1:5-7; Php. 3:10; Col. 1:24; Heb. 2:9-10; 1Pet. 1:11; 4:13; 5:1); “affliction” (2Tim. 3:11; Heb. 10:32; 1Pet. 5:9); “affections” (Gal. 5:24); and “motions” (Rom. 7:5). because of my teachings.

‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution …’ This is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 2 Timothy (3:12-13) and it is being fulfilled. We are warned to be watchful (1Thess. 5:6) and always alert and live godly in Christ, to not permit ourselves to be overthrown by temptation (Matt. 24:42-51). All of 1Corinthians 12:14-26 illustrates the fact that the members of the body of Christ have been born again and live godly consecrated lives (1Cor. 12:27-28; Rom. 12:3-5; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:1-6; 4:1-13; Col. 1:18, 24).

‘Suffer persecution’ – Eight facts about Christian suffering: Suffering is not strange or unusual for Christians (1Pet. 4:12; 2Tim. 3:12). One should rejoice when a partaker of the sufferings of Christ (1Pet. 4:13; Matt. 5:10). The greater the suffering the greater the joy and glory (1Pet. 4:13; Rom. 8:17-18).

To be continued…