2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (KJV) Persecution Stinks

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (KJV)
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Persecution stinks.

None of us like it.

• It hurts 
• It’s stressful
• It is easy to make mistakes under the pressure of persecution

We may dislike it most when it is someone else, someone we care about, who faces it.

Paul was a persecuted man himself but in this instance his concern was for others who endured persecution. Others he loved. Others he had led into the circumstances leading to their persecution. His reaction is priceless to the believer today. Paul didn’t fret and grieve over their trials and persecution; he thanked God.

Please note thank he wasn’t thankful for their suffering, but for their testimony in the suffering. Paul used three words to describe their testimony:

FaithThey believed God. Faith motivates a Christian response to life circumstances. We believe God and we therefore behave according to His Word.

CharityCharity isn’t simply giving to the needy. These were needy Christians. Charity is the love a Christian has for his or her church and the members of it.

PatienceFaith is believing God but patience is trusting God. The Christian can be patient and wait on the Lord knowing that God will settle all accounts justly.

To my readers:
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For this and more than 3700 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

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2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (KJV) Persecution Stinks

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