A Passage Christians Will Need to Remember

By David Ettinger

Getting Worse
As our world continues to move further away from God, things will get worse for Christians. This Satan-led world is not content with denying God but being okay with His people.

When it comes to the Lord Jesus, it is never “live and let live” for unbelievers. Instead, they possess an innate hatred for Jesus and His people:

• “And you will be hated by all because of My [Jesus’] name …” (Matthew 10:22).
• “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me [Jesus] before it hated you” (John 15:18).
• “Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
• “Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).

Being Played Out
This is well known to Christians in persecuted countries who bear the world’s hatred daily. Not so much here in the West where Christians can, for the most part, worship freely.

But things are changing as Christians are experiencing growing restrictions. They are subtle, but increasing. For instance, we’re seeing more restraints as result of the Covid-19 vaccine mandates. Those who have not received it are often excluded from attending events and are being fired from jobs.

Though these restrictions are not necessarily anti-Christian, I can see it turning this way. Apart from Covid, I can see where those proclaiming their faith in Christ will be punished. Some will be fired from their jobs for not being socially “inclusive.” Others will be denied places to live for similar reasons.

There are now instances where the unvaccinated cannot enter certain places of business, particularly grocery and department stores. It’s not widespread, but I think it’s going to be. I can see – some years down the road – where these same constraints will be applied to Christians.

I can also see where churches will become frequent targets of governmental lawsuits and fines for their fidelity to the Bible – which many view as a tome of hatred and bloodshed. These lawsuits and fines will include Christian ministries – such as the one I work for – which only employ individuals who uphold biblical truth.

I believe it’s all coming, and Christians are going to feel the heat of it.

Don’t Be Surprised!
None of this, however, should surprise us. The verses on Christian-hatred above should be enough to remove any element of surprise resulting from attacks on believers. In fact, not only does the Bible warn Christians not to be surprised, it is even bewildered by it.

The apostle Peter wrote his 2 epistles during the reign of Roman emperor Nero, who ratchetted up Christian persecution to deadly heights. While Christians were being martyred for their faith, Peter not only sought to encourage the believing community, but explained that they needed to expect such affliction:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you (1 Peter 4:12-14).

Not only are Christians to expect persecution and not be surprised by it, we are to see it in a positive light: That it is a test of faith, allows us to bond with Christ in His sufferings, and shows us that God’s Spirit is upon us. We are to “rejoice” and “be overjoyed” by persecution!

As the fires of Christian persecution intensify, we must remember this passage.

• We must remember that Christian persecution is to be expected.
• We must remember not to be surprised by persecution.
• We must remember persecution is a blessing.
• We must remember to rejoice and be overjoyed in our persecution.

Our Lord is with us and will not abandon us when the fires rage. Proof of this is 1 Peter 4:12-14 – a passage Christians will need to remember!

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Tagged: 1 Peter, Christian Persecution, Faith in Christ, Fidelity to Christ, Godless Culture\, Sinful Culture, Sinful Society, Stand Up Under Trials, Standing for Christ

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