I am going to make a bet. I bet the LEAST popular Scripture in the Newer Testament is 2 Tim 3:12.
What's so unpopular about 2 Tim 3:12? Well, see for yourself-
"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
What! Persecution! No one said anything about that! I signed on for the health and wealth, not persecution.
Indeed. I understand. Most of us, naturally, flee persecution- or avoid it by avoiding any mention of our faith in Jesus the Christ.
Last Sunday, Our pastor made a connection between the verses in Matthew 5:9-11, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
What's so unpopular about 2 Tim 3:12? Well, see for yourself-
"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
What! Persecution! No one said anything about that! I signed on for the health and wealth, not persecution.
Indeed. I understand. Most of us, naturally, flee persecution- or avoid it by avoiding any mention of our faith in Jesus the Christ.
Last Sunday, Our pastor made a connection between the verses in Matthew 5:9-11, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Blessed are Peacemakers- who often are persecuted. But there are lots of opps for those of us who are NOT peacemakers to also suffer persecution- and look at the rewards!!
If we believe this Scripture, why are we so loathe to talk about persecution, and why are we so scared to face it?
No, seriously, why?
Romans 7:18, Luke 22:44...When we mingle substance's together we weaken the stronger parts...
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