“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
(2 Timothy 3:12)
This promise in 2 Timothy 3 guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well-received.
This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: “who desire to live godly.” Godliness is the will of the Lord for His people. “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Our Lord Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6a). The blessing is God’s pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for righteousness: “for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6b).
Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. “All who desire to live godly… will suffer persecution.” There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.
All who sincerely desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met as He walked in righteousness. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.
Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christlikeness. The Lord even adds gracious encouragements to righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His holy will in this matter. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed for heaven. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining grace along the way.
O righteous Lord, I long to walk in Your paths of righteousness. Strengthen my heart with Your grace that I might press on in godliness. Help me to never shrink back, even though persecutions are guaranteed. Help me to stand true, even though persecutions may become severe. Lord, I count on Your promises to see me through the battles, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dee says
February 25, 2015 at 8:24 amIn America we have yet to suffer persecution in a way that our brothers and sisters in Christ have. They have been beheaded and imprisoned for their faith. So does that mean we are not walking in godliness?
ben says
February 26, 2015 at 12:40 pmDee, every nation has christians who have different levels and different types of persecutions. I think the focus of this writing is to show the scriptural promise THAT THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF PERSECUTION. Whether you are beheaded, or you are slandered by the media, or you are a high school student who is mocked, or if family members disown you because of your passion for Christ….all these things are [types] of persecution. If you stand for Christ, there will be opponents.
Dennis says
March 1, 2015 at 7:48 pmI’m very proud of the governor of Indonesia’s capital, Basuki Tjahaya Purnama, also known as AHOK. He is a Christian (Indonesia is 88 percent moslem and 8 percent Christian). He has faced prosecution in his work to manage the city because of his faith. We need more people like Mr Purnama.