The Truly Godly Will Suffer
In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul spoke of the persecutions and afflictions he had endured in various places, and how in every instance God had delivered him.
Then he says this in 2 Timothy 3:12 :
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
This is one promise of God I have never heard any believer claim, yet it IS a promise.
We, the Church, just lost an amazing man of God to an assassin’s bullet : Charlie Kirk.
He was a man of convictions who loved God, loved the church, loved people, loved the truth, and loved the youth.
He was a bold voice for truth, especially on college campuses. And not just political truth, but also the truth of Jesus Christ.
He shared the truth of Christ’s love and sacrifice many times, even right before he was killed.
But suffering persecution for your faith is expected if we are true followers of Jesus. There are different levels of persecution, and the more you live for Jesus, the more you share/promote the gospel and Biblical truth, the larger the target is on you.
And yes, the Apostle Paul was eventually martyred for his faith, as were all the other Apostles. (Except for John, however attempts on his life were made.)
Here are some other promises that the average American Christian doesn’t want to hear, but they are true :
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Psalm 34:19
(But sometimes death is the deliverance, going into the presence of our Lord and Savior).
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Philippians 1:29
After Paul was stoned for preaching the gospel, we read :
"And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”
Acts 14:21-22
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Romans 8:16-17
Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23
Evil will always attack good, it will always oppose truth. So what are we to do?
Be all in with the Lord.
“Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemings of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;”
Ephesians 6:10-18
Pray that God would bring beauty from the ashes from this tragedy; that many in the faith would be emboldened to live fully for Jesus, and speak the truth in love, for time is short.
In His love and power,
Pastor Marty
