Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Persecuted (08/22/24)
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TITLE: The Absence Of Persecution | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
08/28/24 -
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This is a far cry from the viewpoint of those who hold to the “name it and claim it” theology or the “prosperity-motivated” investors within the Christian Community.
This guarantee of persecution does not apply to all born-again believers (Christians).
It applies to those who, “ WANT to live in a godly way.”
The godly way being spoken of here is the 24/7 lifestyle of post (salvation) discipleship.
Many who claim to be followers of Christ are content to know that they are Heaven bound, and leave dealing with the adversity associated with discipleship to others.
Some couldn’t tell you when the last time it was that they spoke of the things of God outside of their own comfort zone.
Such believers will not likely experience much persecution, as they pose no threat to the devil’s agenda.
They may even be prospered by the devil, as such prosperity can be like salt in the wounds of an advancing disciple.
Discipleship calls for the ongoing study (1) and the moment to moment application (2) of the Word of God.
Discipleship is initially for the development of one’s own edified soul structure and spiritual growth, but with the long term objective of participating in the Great Commission (3).
Every advancing disciple has been given a mission and a mission field.
His or her mission is spelled out in the Great Commission (4).
His or her mission field is wherever he or she is 24/7, be it at home, work, play, or anywhere else.
Jesus said that if one wants to be a disciple, he or she must pick up the cross and follow Him (5), bearing the burden.
The cross, in this passage, is referring to the unadulterated Gospel Message.
Many religious individuals and celebrities wear crosses, but engage in speech and behaviors that run contrary to what the cross they bear represents.
“… they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their (evil) appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds (set) on Earthly things (Phil. 3: 18-19 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”
There has been, and are, persecutors WITHIN the Christian Community who believe they are doing God a service (6) by persecuting others because they have different interpretations of Scripture.
When different interpretations surface, the wise man will see this as an opportunity to review his own position and either confirm or correct it.
Remember, even a broken clock can be right twice a day.
Finally, there is the need to distinguish the difference between being persecuted for the faith and experiencing all the other suffering that life here in the devil’s world can bring to saint (believer) and sinner alike.
People will be heard saying that what they are going through is their “cross to bear,” when in fact what they are going through may have nothing to do with either the unspoken testimony of their daily lives or their response to 1Pet. 3: 15 opportunities.
There’s a connection between all of the negativity we encounter and our walk with the Lord.
It is when we are angry, scared, sick, tired, weary, heartbroken, betrayed, rejected, disappointed, etc., that we are most vulnerable to satanic attacks.
In most cases, these Eph. 6: 16 fiery darts, raising feelings of doubt, hopelessness, abandonment, insecurity, false guilt, etc., are launched by third parties, or come from the fallen nature within us.
The devil has mastered the art of spiritual warfare. He knows what buttons to press and when to press them for maximum effect, in an attempt to drive a wedge between his intended target (You!) and the things of God.
Only when one suffers for taking a godly stand here in this ungodly world that he or she can rightfully claim that he or she is undergoing 2Tim. 3: 12 persecution.
The Matt. 7: 25, 27 storms of life are a part of the human experience for saint and sinner alike.
2Tim.3: 12 persecution is the norm for disciples.
Satan knows the value of the unspoken (lifestyle) and spoken 1Pet. 3: 15 testimony of a disciple that chooses to stay on the battlefield, until he or she has taken his or her last breath, and does all he can do to prevent it (8).
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(1) 2Pet.3: 18 (2) James 1: 22 (3) Matt. 28: 19, 20/Mark 4: 20 (4) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (5) Matt. 16: 24 (6) John 16: 2 (7) Heb. 4: 12 (8) 1Pet. 5: 8
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