Follower of Jesus, here is another one of many promises found in God’s word, and this promise is as real as thousands of others.
Persecution is a promise to those standing in and for God’s righteous ways. Walking the way of Jesus Christ is to take up our cross, deny ourselves and follow Him regardless of the response we get from those who don’t.
As the world changes around us, and more and more people (including those who profess to be Christians) call good, evil, and evil good, this verse becomes very comforting as an affirmation of our faith in Jesus. Trust me, I don’t look for persecution, but I am not surprised when it comes!
In the last part of this verse, Paul writes about evil men and imposters growing worse. Can evil and those who embrace it get worse than it is now? Unfortunately, yes, they can, and it can and will! Why? Because those who embrace evil, godless ways will go farther and farther into the dark abyss of sin unless they, like us repent and see the light of God’s truth.
I like what Leonard Ravenhill once said about sin, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
I can tell you firsthand that statement is accurate, and I certainly don’t want to walk that path ever again. How about you?
Here’s an example of what that statement means. Suppose someone is hooked on drugs; after a while, their starter drug no longer satisfies, so they use more of their starter drug or move on to something more robust. It’s the same with alcohol addiction or anything else. Because those things can never truly satisfy the soul, they fall deeper into addiction and lifeless living.
The good news is Jesus can save anyone from such a deadly grip of addiction because of His great love and power. He didn’t come to condemn but to save! Thank you, Lord, for rescuing and saving me!
Follower of Jesus, our soul strength comes through our faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the ability to stand firm in love despite any persecution that comes our way. He also provides us with the wisdom and strength to stand against the tide of evil rolling in. So let’s stand in His grace and power and continue to be His light to the world, in word and deed.
Remember these words from the Apostle John. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)