2 Timothy 2:1-13

Wow - being a Christian can be tough. Christians will always face persecution because our very lives point out the flaws in others. Everyone of us was created to be with God. Those who deny Him will never be satisfied. They will always long for something they can't quite put the finger on. At the same time, they are enamored with the world telling them that life is all about them. If they just had more money, more power, more stuff - the longing will go away. But it never does. As Christians, we have found the answer, we have learned to be content. We have found joy and peace in doing the exact opposite of the world - we give when they take, we build up when they tear down, we live for others when they live for themselves. Our lives are in direct conflict with theirs. Many will choose to persecute instead of convert.

Have you ever attempted to prove that you were right, even though you knew you were wrong? For whatever reason - be it fear, pride, jealousy, or anger - you lashed out at someone because you didn't want to be wrong? This is the attitude that breeds persecution. This conflict will always be there. So what do we do about it? Stand up & be firm in our faith. Don't let persecution bring you down! Hold on to your faith and know that God will always be there, he will never turn away.

Finally, as you draw closer to God, you will find that persecution doesn't really matter. It become insignificant in your life. Your focus falls away from what the world does & locks onto what God does. Paul not only understood this, he lived it. Hold onto his words & ask God to really reveal His love to you:

Romans 8:31-39, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and in also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am CONVINCED that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future , no any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."