Bible Reading: Genesis 29-30; Matthew 10:1-23
Memory verse: “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:17-18 (KJV)
Persecution is a part and parcel of Christianity. Every Christian who genuinely follow Christ must experience harassment, oppression or being killed in the course of sharing their faith. However, this is expected because the kingdom message we preach is very different from the ways of the world. The world never appreciates people being different.
Remember, the Bible says in John 14:6 (KJV), “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The world hates the truth because it goes against her evil ways. More hated than the truth is the person sharing the truth. Jesus was sent forth as the truth and to share the truth with the world. He saw already how it will go. So he warns his disciples in Matthew 10:17-18 (KJV), “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”
No child of God is immune to persecution because if the master can be persecuted then those under Him must learn to accommodate it as it is a part of their course here on earth. All persecution tries to do is to make us stop sharing the truth about Jesus. And just like Peter told the scribes and the elders in Acts 4, we must obey God who commanded us to share this message rather than men who wants us not to share this message.
To enjoy your Christian life you must learn to enjoy persecution be it at the office, school or even your neighbourhood. Most believers do not know this: persecution is a proof of your Christian faith. If you are a Christian and the world loves you, then something is wrong. If they could dislike and kill Jesus who was perfect till the end, how much more you, a servant?
Prayer: Father, help me to obey you at all times even in the face of persecution.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu