October 7, 2017
As promised, I ignored the fatigue and went to church…and guess what, God imparted more understanding to me on something He has been teaching me lately! He really brought this lesson back to my attention today when the pastor spoke about persecution.
As Christians, and even non-christians, we are guilty of having this assumption that following Christ and devoting our lives to God will make our lives without trial. As we hear verses like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” or “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” it is taken into interpretation that the life of a Christian is easier in a worldly sense; that God will remove all hardships as we cast our cares on Him.
However, this is not the “reward” of Christianity, nor is it God’s motive. “The Fall” in Genesis chapter 2 happened. Sin amongst humanity happened. We all fall short of the glory of God, therefore the opportunity for a perfect life here on Earth is no longer attainable – as a result of us, not Him.
On the other hand, what God does offer us and what He will continue to offer us forever and ever is His never-ending love and mercy. It is key to not misinterpret verses like Philippians 4:13 because rather than saying I can do all things because God will remove all my struggles and bless me for being a Christian, God instead gives you the strength and the ability and the comfort to get through them. As we go through obstacles and trials, God is working in us. If we allow Him to take complete control and surrender our hope and trust to Him WHILE STILL GOING THROUGH THE TRIAL, we will come out on the other end in a closer relationship with Him.
One of the many trials and obstacles Christians face is persecution. The Bible even tells us that when you become a follower of Christ, you are immediately drafted into war with Satan. The devil will try to do everything in his power to destroy you. As a Christian you will be persecuted, insulted, judged, isolated, and so on. God will always be there for you in those moments, but He wants you to be prepared because they will happen.
Sometimes it will even seem like the enemy has won, and that everything around us is crashing down and we feel like we have lost, but God says, “Get up. You win because you are my child and I have already won the final victory.”
- Are you being persecuted? If you say no, then you’re living your life in a way that is not a threat to the enemy
- If you go about your life and no one is ever affected by the fact that you are a Christian and you worship God, there is a problem
- If your faith cannot withstand a little shaking, maybe your faith wasn’t as firm as you thought it was…”You of little faith, why are you afraid?”
- Jesus suffered on the cross for us. Jesus stood up for us. How about we stand up for Him
Much love, Em