10 ¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
11 Persecutions, and afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered: but from them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.
13 But the evil men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Receiving Christ’s Word and becoming like Him in our conduct will unavoidably mean being treated by the world in the way it treated Christ. “I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14)….
The believer is privileged to participate in the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10), and it is only as we are willing to bear His reproach and suffer for His sake that we are promised that we will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). Jesus Himself was blasphemously accused of being demon-possessed. They hated Him without a cause (John 15:25). The believer, like Christ, must be willing to be misunderstood and have his good works maligned. Since our best efforts in serving Christ are mingled with sin and human imperfection, it should come as no surprise that our motives and behavior will be misinterpreted because of our forthright identification with Him. “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). A mark of the world is to call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
20 Woe unto them that speak good of evil, and evil of good, which put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for sour. 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight. Isaiah 5:20-21 (1599 Geneva Bible) <Continue reading post>