Persecuted
You
must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For
people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant,
abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable,
slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen
with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the
outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! For among them are
those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed
by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always being
instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,
so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.
But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men,
their folly will become plain to everyone.
Now
you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my
patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the
things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the LORD rescued
me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse,
deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have
learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from
childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and
is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped
for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:1-17
Have
you ever heard someone suggest that if you just trust Jesus, He will solve all
your problems and you’ll float through life with riches and peace? If that were
the way God planned it for the people who serve Him, then what was Paul’s
problem? After his conversion, he was as godly as they come, yet he had
problems galore. He was one of the greatest missionaries of all time, and yet
he was beaten, arrested, nearly drowned, and run out of town.
Tragedy
strikes Christians with the same blunt force that strikes the most antagonistic
atheists. We are not exempt from natural disasters, serious illness,
interpersonal squabbles, and mistreatment by others. In God’s way of making
things work out, our troubles can advance His kingdom and purposes. Our task is
to glorify God, no matter what the circumstances. If we do, our struggle can
direct others to the Savior as we make our way toward our ultimate goal of rest
and reward in heaven.
God allows trials in our lives not to impair us, but to
improve us.
Our Daily Bread –