All that will live godly

2 Timothy 3:12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Paul the Apostle, if anyone ever has, endured great persecution. He experienced persecution at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, and at many other places. He had been left for dead at Lystra, and had been jailed and placed in the stocks at Philippi. Many times was he beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed, and forsaken even of the brethren. Paul certainly was acquainted with persecution. And those that lived during that time of the church’s existence knew persecution well. And persecution against Christians has decreased in many places, for which God’s people are thankful. Nevertheless, the first still holds true with the potency and poignancy that it has always had. All that will live godly, yea, all that live godly shall suffer persecution! This is an inescapable truth for all of Christianity. It is incontrovertible and universal. It may not be to the extent of Paul the Apostle and those saintly patriarchs who gave all for the cause of Christ. Yet, in many places of the world, it is no less than this even now. But we may not be crucified, beaten, or left for dead; but, my friend, it is advantageous for us to expect that there will be a measure of opposition to the gospel of Christ and to the holy life. Foreign and domestic, we should not expect temporal peace and tranquility, for Christ came not to bring peace, but a sword. See Matthew 10:34, Luke 12:51.

Therefore, my beloved, be prepared, be forewarned, and be armed with this truth. If there is no persecution of any kind, that is a cause for worry, for we are told that all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Therefore, if we are godly people, we will suffer the ridicule of others, the malice of others, and the hatred of others. We will be left out, despised, and sequestered from the mainstream of society. But we must not be bewildered or surprised, for we are to expect this. And what a glory it is to share in the rejection of our Savior! What an honor it is to partake in a very small way in the fellowship of His sufferings. Did not the apostles rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name? See Acts 5:41. Therefore, you and I must not be taken off guard, but armored with this encouragement that we shall suffer for the Lord in the way in which He allows, if we will live godly in Christ Jesus. And this, my friend, truly is a blessing and a privilege given to us by Christ Himself. Let us thank God for this great honor!

“Dear Father, we thank you that you have encouraged us with this truth today. May we be emboldened by your Spirit to faithfully live a godly life, for we are the followers of Christ. And when perfection of any degree comes upon us, may we not respond with surprise or dismay, but with the power that you have given us by your Spirit, with the love of Christ, and with the sound mind that comes from the Word of God. Help us to glory in our infirmities if you give us the privilege to partake in your sufferings. In Jesus’ lovely name we pray, Amen.”