Line Upon Line

"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
2 Timothy 3:10-12 (NKJV)

"John Wesley got down from his horse and began to pray, asking God to show him if his lack of persecution was due to unconfessed sin. While on his knees before God, an unsaved man passing by recognized him as the man he disliked. He picked up a brick and tossed it at Wesley. It missed the evangelist, but Wesley saw it as an answer to prayer. 'Thank God,' he exclaimed, 'it's all right. I still have His presence.'"

When we faithfully follow Christ, we will encounter opposition. Jesus said, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:18-21). Persecution comes to discourage you, to frighten you, to divert your attention and energy from the will and purpose of God, and to destroy the work of God. 

It's not a question of if persecution will come to the believer, but how we respond when it comes. Persecution is an opportunity to trust God and prove the integrity and power of His Word. When faced with persecution for righteousness' sake, we must remember to:

COUNT IT ALL JOY
When Peter and the apostles were persecuted after the healing of the lame man at the temple gate, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ (Acts 5:41). Jesus instructs us to "rejoice and leap for joy" when we are falsely accused and ill-treated (Matthew 5:10-12). See also: James 1:2,3,12; 1 Peter 1:5-9; 4:12-14; Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 12:1,2.

RESIST REVENGE AND RETALIATION
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit-filled life (Galatians 5:16). When persecuted, the fleshly response is to fight back. Instead, God wants us to avoid sinning in word or deed. Rather than retaliating, we must crucify the flesh by the power of the Spirit. See also: Hebrews 4:15; Ephesians 4:26,27; 1 Peter 2:21-23; 3:8-17; 4:1,2.

COMMIT THE INJUSTICE TO GOD
Proud people take matters into their own hands. The humble trust God to work all things together for their good--knowing that no weapon formed against the servant of the Lord will prosper (Romans 8:28-39; Isaiah 54:17). See also: 1 Peter 4:19; 5:6,7; Philippians 4:4-7; Hebrews 5:6-9.

WALK IN GOD'S LOVE
We need to be imitators of God, and walk in love (1 John 4:19). Rather than reacting in the flesh when we are mistreated, we must learn to respond with God's love (Romans 12:19-21). We must be quick to forgive (Matthew 6:14). Jesus instructs us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who have taken advantage of us (Luke 6:22-35). See also: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP); Ephesians 5:1,2.

PATIENTLY WAIT ON THE LORD
Through faith and patience we experience the blessing of God's promises (Hebrews 6:9-12). Once you have given the matter to God, resist taking it back. There is great blessing in believing and waiting for God to work! See also: 1 Peter 5:10,11; Galatians 6:7-10; Isaiah 40:31.

think on these things...

John 15:19,20 (NKJV)
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also."

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,'' says the Lord.

"Bearing wrong is a glorious part of Christ's sufferings; a glorious part of being conformed to His most holy likeness; a most blessed fruit of the true life of faith." Andrew Murray