Acts 8:1 “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles”
A great persecution breaks out against the church and those who are scattered because of the opposition against them preach the Word wherever they go. Does the irony of this not grip us? The very thing that has caused them to be persecuted is the thing they do when they arrive at their new destinations. They know that this will probably lead to more trouble but they 1) have a mandate 2) cannot keep quiet, 3) remember that this is the kind of thing that Jesus said would happen. If opposition to the Gospel or Christianity is going to stop you from living and speaking its truths, then it is unlikely your love for God is as solid as you think it is. We shall inherit with Christ IF we suffer with Him (Romans 8:16-17 – 16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”)
Suffering for the faith is part of our calling. It is also a mark of the true believer. And it is endured by those believers with joy. No matter what happens to the Christian, nothing can separate him from the love of God. We are willing to endure much because we cannot outlove Him. The blessings far outweigh the cost.
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