Today as I look around and listen to what is being said in the church and by the worldly I have notice not much in its difference of language used by either. Some churches proclaim peace and love is stress and some a day futuristic gospel, as in when we get there kind of thing. Some proclaim our soon coming King and that Jesus is today King as in king kind of thing. The worldly remain totally indifferent and lackadaisical. When those of the church get back to every day life, the rest of their week, is the same as that of the worldly in lackadaisicalness as if they have not a care, in other words they just blend in with, the rest of the fabric by doing and saying and acting like the rest. Where is the identity and character and nature of Christ in them? When they come together in their religious normal fashion and special ritualistic fashion or occasions is the only time for an identity with the Lord. Their perception is skewed. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching words on Grace. And then my focus point the righteous will suffer for their identity in the LORD, with the Led of the LORD and the use of the ESV translation.
"An "Unpopular" Promise Regarding Persecution"
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2Timothy 3:12)
"For a final visit, we return to the category of "unpopular" promises. This promise guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well-received. And in many circles is not known as in these they have adopted a more "progressive religion" of the world and a one world religion of unity with all.
This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: "who desire to live godly." Godliness is the Will of the LORD for His people. "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1Timothy 6:11). Our LORD Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). The blessing is GOD's pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for Righteousness. "For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. "All who desire to live godly . . . will suffer persecution." There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.
All who sincerely desire to be one the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met, as He walked in righteousness. "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" (John 15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. He was greatly hated by the religious leaders of Israel. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.
Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christlikeness. The LORD even adds gracious encouragements to Righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His Holy Will in this matter. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed in the right direction, heaven bond. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining Grace along the way."
Reproach Suffered:
Luke 6:20-26 "Jesus lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of GOD. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
1Timothy 4:6-10 "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have (received by belief) followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of (greater) value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (this is the stumbling block that keeps many from unity with GOD in His active Now I AM.). The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living GOD, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."
Hebrews 10:32-39 "Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves have a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the Will of GOD you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure (the meaning of Psalm 5:4) in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."
Hebrews 11:23-29 "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of GOD than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing Him Who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned."
Hebrews 13:7-16 "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of GOD. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by Grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent (earthly alter of the temple) have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp (as Jesus was crucified). So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own (death) blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach HE endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD."
1Peter 4:12-19 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial (crisis of afflictions) when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and of GOD rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify GOD in that name. For it is time for judgment (our crisis's of affliction, [Paul's wrestling's within him of Romans 7] which perfects GOD's Godliness within us [of 2Corinthians 4:17]) to begin at the household (our spiritual body within our physical body) of GOD; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to GOD's Will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
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