When was the last time you came upon this verse in your Bible Promise Book?
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
But why isn't it among the greatly quoted promises?
Isn't it all about the results of the persectution and suffering? What happens in my life when I suffer? And what happens in other peoples' lives as a result of my suffering?
According to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
When we are suffering, when we are persecuted, the Lord is working out His purposes in our lives. Suffering leads to dependence upon Him, it leads to godly living, and it leads to opportunities to minister to others. Really, it's not about me. It's about my response to the Holy God in the middle of trials. It's about how He is transforming me into His image through my brokenness.
It is for His glory. Not mine.
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
But why isn't it among the greatly quoted promises?
Isn't it all about the results of the persectution and suffering? What happens in my life when I suffer? And what happens in other peoples' lives as a result of my suffering?
According to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
When we are suffering, when we are persecuted, the Lord is working out His purposes in our lives. Suffering leads to dependence upon Him, it leads to godly living, and it leads to opportunities to minister to others. Really, it's not about me. It's about my response to the Holy God in the middle of trials. It's about how He is transforming me into His image through my brokenness.
It is for His glory. Not mine.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.
Isaiah 48:10-11
There is a young man in our church who is being relentlessly persecuted at his job. When offered an "out", he turned it down because the new job would have taken him out of ministry. I expect this fellow will come out shining like gold for making the difficult decision to hang in there. You're right, these are the kinds of promises that are not popular. And often when we pray for revival, I wonder "Am I willing to pay the cost for it to happen?" Good food for thought.
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