all that will live Godly....shall suffer persecution

I know I have touched on this subject before but it has really been on my heart again

Joh_15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Do we really know what hardship and persecution is? I think not.
Do we know the real joy of Christ that comes from standing firm in the faith whatever the cost?
Do we have any idea how firm our faith is?

No.

You can not know happy without sad, you can not know the mountaintop without the valley.

Can we know the true joy of Christ when we are in our easy chairs? Our biggest worry how to pay the bills?
Can we fully relate to the Christians of history, To Christ when we have known only a life of ease?

When we can not be bothered to attend church because we worked that day, when we do not go soul winning because someone from work might see us. When we fail to put forth our faith because it might offend?
How can we sing of the Old Rugged Cross when we are unhappy and praying for a miracle over bills, or a work situation?

We have true persecution of Christians going on in this world. They are being killed in nations the world over, but the American Christian can't be bothered to testify, or live fully for Christ for fear that someone might see them.

Sure we go to Church that;s safe place, it's ok to go there but don't you dare wear it outside that door. Don't even think of praying in public. Telling someone of Christ? Oh no what will the neighbors think?

We pray for safe travel,we pray for the job, we pray for the bills, and then get all upset when a miracle doesn't save us from the materialistic.

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

We can all quote these verses or parts glibly, yet do we live them?
Let the car stop working on the way to church or work and see which Spirit comes out of you.
Get a past due bill or a loan balloon payment come due and let's see which side of you wins. Joy or worry.
Did we ask God before we entered in to some of our financial obligations? Did we seek His counsel on the new job taking us away from Him? Did we ask Him daily what He wants or needs?

We do not know the Joy of the Lord because we have nothing to compare it against. We have no persecution therefore we have no yardstick to measure it against.


2Ti_3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

All who will live Godly shall be persecuted, are you being persecuted? Are you being singled out for Serving Him? For speaking the truth of Christ? For standing on the principles of our God?