Tags

, , ,

See the source image

We know we will be persecuted. Jesus is clear on that. But by our family? Now that hurts.

A disciple of Jesus must learn to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it, not in an ostentatious way but quietly and humbly because persecution has great spiritual value. The persecution of a disciple of Jesus allows them to share in a unique fellowship with the Master.

Paul outlined several things he had surrendered for the cause of the Messiah. Such losses, however, he viewed as “rubbish” or “dung” that he might share in the “fellowship of [the Messiah’s] sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). The noble apostle even counted his chains as a grace (favor) that God had bestowed upon him.

  • Matthew 10:36 — 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
  • Micah 7:6 — 6 For son treats father contemptuously, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
  • Genesis 4:8 — 8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
  • Matthew 10:21 — 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
  • Mark 3:21 — 21 When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”
  • Galatians 4:29 — 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.