2-Timothy 3:12
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
What of Today’s Verse…
For a final visit, we return to the category of “unpopular” promises. This promise guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well received.
This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: “who desire to live godly.” Godliness is the will of the Lord for His people. “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1Ti_6:11). Our Lord Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Mat_5:6). The blessing is God’s pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for righteousness. “For they shall be filled” (Mat_5:6).
Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. “All who desire to live godly . . . will suffer persecution.” There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.
All who sincerely desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met, as He walked in righteousness. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (Joh_15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.
Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christ likeness. The Lord even adds gracious encouragements to righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His holy will in this matter. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mat_5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed for heaven. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining grace along the way.
Let us Pray:
O righteous Lord, I long to walk in Your paths of righteousness. Strengthen my heart with Your grace that I might press on in godliness. Help me to never shrink back, even though persecutions are guaranteed.
Help me to stand true, even though persecutions may become severe. Lord, I count on Your promises to see me through the battles, in Jesus name, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Seek His Will, His Glory, And His Approval
Still the Lord is using the things that are despised. The very names of Nazarene and Christian were once epithets of contempt. No man can have God’s highest thought and be popular with his immediate generation. The most abused men are often most used.
There are far greater calamities than to be unpopular and misunderstood. There are far worse things than to be found in the minority. Many of God’s greatest blessings are lying behind the devil’s scarecrows of prejudice and misrepresentation. The Holy Ghost is not ashamed to use unpopular people. And if He uses them, what need they care for men?
Oh, let us but have His recognition and man’s notice will count for little, and He will give us all we need of human help and praise. Let us only seek His will, His glory, and His approval. Let us go for Him on the hardest errands and do the most menial tasks. Honour enough that He uses us and sends us. Let us not fear in this day to follow Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach, and by-and-by He will own our worthless name before the myriads of earth and sky.
“Take no thought for your life.” Matthew 6:25
