2 Timothy Blog 2

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2: 8-13

“Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3: 12

“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:22

Jesus paid the highest price for us and expects us to be able to pay a high price to be with Him. I struggle with the idea of various levels of persecution that could come. A person may never be persecuted in the way that Paul was, but all should be willing. Let us ponder some questions. In your head answer them.

Am I willing to be made fun of for Christ?
Am I willing to be fired for Christ?
Am I willing to be humiliated for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated by close friends for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated by family members for Christ?
Am I willing to be hunted by the government for Christ?
Am I willing to be jailed for Christ?
Am I willing to be physically hurt for Christ?
Am I willing to lose my life for Christ?

This blog is beginning to look similar to previous blogs. It repeats because I am still trying to be able to honestly say yes to every question that I just asked.

My life was changed as I watched a video on China’s Christians during the spring semester. I had joined a group that was based around Voice of the Martyrs. The strongest memory I have with the video on China was of a woman arrested at night and taken from her home. She was told to sign papers that would tell the government that she and some of her friends were Christians and she refused to sign it. She was burned by a lit cigarette and forced to walk back and forth down a hallway all night long. A couple hours later, she realized that the trail of blood that she was walking through was her own blood. She briefly wondered what would be so wrong if she signed the papers. Was not signing worth what she was going through? She determined that Christ was worth far more and she never signed the papers.

The worst thing that has ever happened to me because of my faith was a few remarks that were not even directed to me but to God.