Persecutions and Afflictions
Introduction
I’m Pete. God loves you!
The topic today: Enduring Persecutions and Afflictions.
Let’s see what we can learn from just one of many portions of the Bible on this.
Example
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 ESV
Takeaways
The Christians being persecuted are growing in their faith.
Their love for one another is increasing.
They are becoming a good example of steadfastness in persecution and affliction.
Regarding God’s judgment, it’s evidence they are worthy of God’s kingdom.
God considers it just to repay those who hurt them.
God considers it just to grant relief to those suffering for Him.
This will happen at the Lord’s second coming, if not sooner.
Those causing their suffering will suffer eternal destruction.
Those causing their suffering will also suffer eternity away from God’s glory.
Those persecuted had believed the testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ.
They were being prayed for:
That God make them worthy of His calling.
That God may fulfill every resolve for good work.
That God may fulfill every work of faith.
That Jesus would be glorified.
That those suffering would be justified.
That this would be done by the grace of God and Jesus.
God Sees
Even if no one is praying for you, God still sees your suffering for Him:
Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:7-10 ESV
Be Prepared
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16 ESV
God Bless You!
If you must suffer for Christ, may God help you persevere. May God Bless You!