Suffering, a characteristic of the fellowship of believers
Paul wasn't and wouldn't be the only one to suffer for his faith. John 15:20-21 says, "Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they have no excuse of their sin." II Timothy 2:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." My question is this, as 21st century North Americans, where is our persecution? Paul expresses his probable persecution that made for an inspiring speech in II Corinthians 6:2-10, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacles in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found in our ministry; but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as imposters, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything."
Created over 3 years ago
