"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (II Tim. 2:12, 13).
Our manner of suffering in the dispensation of the grace of God may not be the same as that of ages past, but is just as inevitable a provision of service. The proclamation is unequivocal: We SHALL suffer persecution! True witness and faithful testimony carry the price tag of personal loss. Paul said, "1 have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him..." (Phil. 3, 8b, 9a).
More than that, the apostle goes so far as to affirm, "[I] now REJOICE in my sufferings..." (Col. 1:24). "1 take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake..." (II Cor. 12:10). And he congratulates the saints at Thessalonica, saying, "Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word IN MUCH AFFLICTION, WITH JOY of the Holy Ghost" (1 Thess. 1:6).
To the unregenerate it is inconceivable that there can be joy in connection with suffering. But those who are sanctified know that the pain is overshadowed by the ever-deepening relationship with Christ which results from faithfulness despite affliction. Paul prayed for the saints, "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord...strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, UNTO ALL PATIENCE AND LONG-SUFFERING WITH JOYFULNESS, GIVING THANKS UNTO THE FATHER..." (Col. 1:10-12).
Note that the apostle encourages us to "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAY" (Phil. 4:4). "Always" must necessarily include times of tribulation. No matter what our trials and abuses, we are to face them with unflinching confidence in His strength to see us through, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake."
King James Bible
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