Despite of Differences,Come Unity in Jesus Christ!

Are you a Godly person who is suffering for doing right?

Godly people will be ridiculed by their friends and families for their Christian beliefs & teachings. They are accused and described as Paranoids, fanatics, narrow-minded, extreme, ridiculous, "sinners" & as teaching the "doctrine of devils. They endure emotional and physical pain, as they give up the things they could have in this world for the sake of Gods Kingdom.

1. The Godly people suffer for righteousness sake: The Godly suffer for many reasons, sometimes through no fault of their own .Most of the time they suffer for doing right things because we live in a fallen world where there is sexual immorality, corruption and rebellion to Gods word which is enmity with God. Persecution is not only done through violence and destruction, but also through harassment, ridicule, and being an outcast. All the Godly people have experienced persecution and ridicule when we do not do what the world does or says. Refusing to be like the world by not participating in ungodly practices has caused us to be alienated from family, friends, and co-workers. Godly people do not participate in their godless passions and activities and are different from the sinful world. When a believer is consumed with godly living, he will lose his appetite for the world's ungodly attractions.

But as Christians, you are called to be a chosen race, holy and separate to the Lord, and “in the world, but not of the world.” Paul calls you to be aliens and strangers who “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” He exhorts you, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:1-2). As pilgrims in this world, we are not to practice what the citizens of this world do. We are to do what citizens of the kingdom of heaven are supposed to do.

2. The ungodly live in worldly desires: often live a life of worldly passions and desires, they do not believe in heaven or hell. But Peter reminds us that judgment comes for both living and dead and everyone has to give an account of themselves to God. All ungodly will be judged. All believers who are Godly will get their reward. Preaching the gospel condemns unbelievers and ungodly. Showing them our godly, obedient lives also make them see their ungodly, rebellious lives.

3. God sees when Godly people suffer: God sees all the rebellious acts caused by Ungodly unbelievers. He sees Godly believers suffering in the hands of unbelievers. Thus, those who suffer unjustly because of their faith in Christ have shown that they are willing to be done with sin by living in obedience to God, to be different, and to be set apart-even if it means persecution and ridicule.

But take comfort, Godly, unbelievers do not have the last word, for they will give account and face God’s judgment .They will face God’s severe judgment, especially those who have heard the gospel of Christ preached to them but rejected it. Preaching the gospel condemns unbelievers. Showing them our godly, obedient lives also make them see their ungodly, rebellious lives.

John says in the book of Revelation that when the people of the earth see the two witnesses-symbolizing the church-dead, they rejoice. They give gifts to one another. Because “these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth” (Rev 11:10). How are unbelievers “tormented” by believers? When they hear Godly people tell them, “Repent and believe in the gospel of Christ!” and when they see Christians practicing a completely different life from them as “salt” and “light” to the world, they know in their hearts that they are sinners bound to eternal hell.

Sometimes unbelievers can't tolerate a righteous man or woman. A holy life irritates them to the point of aggression. A believer who suffers under such circumstances is "blessed" (1 Pet. 3:14). "Blessed" doesn't necessarily emphasize happiness or joy as much as it does the meaning of "privilege" or "honor." Elizabeth said Mary the mother of Jesus was "blessed among women" (Luke 1:42). Mary's heart was pierced with many sorrows (Luke 2:35), so that isn't a reference to general happiness. Instead, it speaks of divine favor--the privilege of giving birth to the Messiah in Mary's case. A believer has the same sense of privilege when he shares in Christ's sufferings. Perhaps Peter understood the meaning of "blessed" from our Lord's words in Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great." A believer has the honor of receiving a divine, eternal reward for suffering on Christ's behalf.

4. A Godly believer is to be ready to provide an answer in all situations: A Godly Christian who can't carefully, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically give a clear explanation for his faith will be insecure when faced with hostility, and might be inclined to doubt his salvation. The enemy's blows will devastate those who haven't "put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation" (1 Thess. 5:8).

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Ungodly enjoy drawing attention to a sinning Christian because they want to justify their sinful behavior. Therefore all Christians are to live above reproach so any accusation has no valid basis.

5. Scriptures says that that Godly will suffer for being Godly:

1Peter 3:17:It is better, if God should will it so; that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."

1 Peter 4:3-4 :For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

Psalm 34:19: A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 1For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Luke 9:23: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

2 Timothy 3:12: In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

1 Peter 4:12-13: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Romans 8:18: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Galations 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1 Peter 4:15-16: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Matthew 5:10-12: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1 Peter 3:14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

1 Peter 5:10:But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Revelation 2:10: Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

6. Righteous suffer for many reasons:

1. They suffer for the glory of God: Book of Job; Isa. 48:9-11

2. They Suffer to comfort others: 2 Cor. 1:3-6

3. They Suffer to demonstrate the power of God, the provisions of grace: 2 Cor. 12:8-10

4. They Suffer from spiritual growing pains; the testing that strengthens faith: Deut. 8:1-10; James 1:1-6; 1 Pet. 1:7,8; Rom. 5:3 Faster growth means more frequent testing; there is a refining process: Job. 23:10; Isa. 1:18-27; 1 Pet. 1:7

5. They Suffering to keep down pride: 2 Cor. 12:6,7; Matt. 26:31-75 (the scattering of the disciples)

6. They Suffering to illustrate doctrine (for advanced believers: Book of Hosea

7. They Suffer by association occurs when we have some relationship with someone who is suffering: Rom. 14:7; 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Chron. 21

8. They Suffer to show the fruit of the Spirit and the results of edification: 2 Cor. 4:6-11

9. They suffer to learn the value of doctrine: Psalm 119:65-72

10. They Suffer as a witness to Christ: 2 Tim. 2:8-12; John 15:18-21; Acts 5:40-42; 1 Cor. 4:9-16

11. They Suffer as a result of exercising a spiritual gift; illustrated by the life of the Apostle Paul

12. They suffer from involvement in spiritual battles, the angelic conflict: Eph. 3:8-13

7. Hope for the Godly: if a believer stays in fellowship with God and grows in Christ consistently, this type of suffering can be a great blessing and an opportunity to witness to other believers and to the unsaved. So no matter what you are going through, God has given you a Comforter to help you.

When Jesus was on this earth He was the Comforter, but now the Comforter is God the Holy Spirit:

Jesus said,” And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But Godly people do...

No, I will not abandon you as orphans- I will come to you." (John 14:16-18).

The Godly believers will be obedient to Gods word and his commandments by being self-controlled and sober-minded, abstaining from all evil and evil addictions , loving, hospitable, and using your spiritual gifts for the building up one another. A Godly believer needs to arm himself with a trust in the power of righteousness to triumph over persecution and suffering. During times of hostility, we're to have confidence, not be in turmoil. A passion for doing good produces a pure life, which should be the goal and delight of every believer.

When we suffer for being Godly we glorify God and Christ our Lord and Savior. Our goal should be of putting Christ & His truth first in our lives shunning all evil things contrary to Gods word.

2 comments:

  1. Great work, Shaila! Suffering is something we all experience and we all often wonder why. We here in America have been so blessed to have been spared the suffering for Christ that our Christian brothers and sisters must endure in other areas of our present world. There is a reward for the faithful. One day, we will receive that reward. God bless...Paul Weaver

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  2. Absolutely wonderful work Shaila. I get a lot of persecution, especially with my Apologetics article that are proof of Jesus Christ being God and that He was resurrected, and the evolution is a lie from the devil, and for also using my articles and my words with family, friends and co-workers when trying to talk about and share Jesus Christ and the gospel. Our pastor once said that if you NEVER suffer, you are likely NOT a Christian, for all godly men and women WILL suffer and this is evidence that we are God's very own. Beautiful work again Shaila.

    Jack Wellman
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