Persecution God's Will?

2 Timothy 3:12

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

 

What causes persecution

Speaking God's word even when you know it won't be popular, and telling people the truth, no matter what the cost to you personally. Will definitely cause persecution

What isn't persecution.

What persecution is.

Doing exactly what God wants you to do, being in the center of God's will, and having people upset with you because they don't like the "Light"

Who are persecuted.

All who will live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Those who hold up God's precepts, and speak His words.  Speaking against sin and current problems.

Standing out as a light to this world. Shining bright for God and dispelling the darkness

Telling people to stop sinning, so that they can flee from the wrath to come.

Why people don't speak out.

Because they might lose position or friendship with members of their family, or close acquaintances.

When we obey God's commandment in Ezekiel 3:18-21 we will be Persecuted

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

God tells us that if we don’t warn the wicked to flee from their wickedness their blood will be required at our hands. When we obey God, people will get mad at us, but this is the only way the sinner can be warned. We must do it!

Do you hear the voice of God when he speaks to you, and are you willing to follow through with what he requires you to speak, or do. Or are you in tuned to the world.

A few important questions!

Are you more concerned about what people think about you, than with what God thinks about you?

Are you living for this world, or the world to come? Do you realize that the earth and all its works will be burned up?

 To avoid persecution do this!

Be like the chameleon blend right in with whatever the people you are currently with are doing or saying. Nod and agree with whatever is being said, even though you know it is not what God's word says! But remember hell is waiting for such people!

Don't forget what God has said!

Ezekiel 3:18-21 "When I say to the wicked, `You shall surely die'; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. "Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. "Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he shall die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. "However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself."

Look what a young girl has done!

This took place around the 16th century. 

(Taken from Fox's book of martyrs)

Twenty-two persons had been sent up from Colchester, who upon a slight submission, were afterward released. Of these, William Munt, a gardener, with Alice, his wife, and Rose Allin, his daughter, upon their return home, abstained from church, which induced the bigoted priest secretly to write to Bonner. For a short time they absconded, but returning again, March 7, one Edmund Tyrrel, (a relation of the Tyrrel who murdered King Edward V and his brother) with the officers, entered the house while Munt and his wife were in bed, and informed them that they must go to Colchester Castle.

Mrs. Munt at that time being very ill, requested her daughter to get her some drink; leave being permitted, Rose took a candle and a mug; and in returning through the house was met by Tyrrel, who cautioned her to advise her parents to become good Catholics. Rose briefly informed him that they had the Holy Ghost for their adviser; and that she was ready to lay down her own life for the same cause. Turning to his company, he remarked that she was willing to burn; and one of men with him told him to test her, and see what she would do by and by.

The unfeeling wretch immediately executed this project; and, seizing the young girl by the wrist, he held the lighted candle under her hand, burning it crosswise on the back, until the tendons divided from the flesh, during which he loaded her with many abusive words. She endured his rage unshaken, and then, when he had ceased the torture, she asked him to begin at her feet or head, for he need not fear that his employer would one day repay him. After this she took the drink to her mother.