Devotionals

Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:12-13

Key Thought: “The more loving, humble, and caring you become toward others, the greater your suffering will become.”

Key Points:

• Persecution produces righteousness.
• Through persecution the Gospel is spread.
• Through persecution Christ is magnified.
•  Persecution makes Christians effective.
• Effective Christians can easily discern the difference between persecution and the chastening of the Lord.

Paul explains the purpose of persecution for us in our key verses. “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” Through persecution, the gospel is spread. We see another example of this in Acts 8:3, 4. “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Saul’s persecution of the church caused the people to be scattered throughout the area. As they spread out, so did the Gospel.

Through persecution, Christ is magnified. If we read on to Acts 8:5, we will see this. Philip was one of those who fled the persecution of the church. Verse 5 says, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” Through the persecution of the Church we see Christ publicly proclaimed.

Christ is magnified in our lives when we suffer personal persecution. The more loving, humble, and caring you become toward others, the greater your suffering will become. 1 Peter 4:14 says, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Our persecutions bring Him glory.

Effective Christians experienced in persecution quickly learn the difference between persecution and the chastening of the Lord. Persecution comes because we take a stand for righteousness; chastening comes because we sin against God.

Satan uses the subtle tactics of the world to damage and destroy our testimonies. For example, Satan buffeted Paul with a fleshly thorn. Job was stripped of everything in one day, and David battled Goliath and Saul and fought many wars for his people. There was always conflict in the lives of these godly men. Their stand for righteousness brought them much persecution. Therefore, it is true to say that we face persecution for the Lord while chastening comes from the Lord. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

So many times we mistake chastening for persecution and vice versa. What we blame on the devil is simply the Lord trying to get our attention. We become so caught up in ourselves and in our circumstances that God has to chasten us to get our attention. Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Have you suffered enough persecution in your life that you can discern between persecution and chastening? Remember, the Bible teaches that persecution humbles us while chastening both humbles and corrects us. The Lord is faithful to show you which of these you are experiencing. All you have to do is study the Word of God on these subjects. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Our persecutions also produce righteousness in our lives. Remember, persecution is a great part of genuine salvation. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Our persecution for righteousness' sake is twofold. We are persecuted because of the righteousness already in our lives and to bring forth more righteousness in our lives. 1 Peter 1:6,7 says, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

As this righteousness is produced in our lives, we become more effective Christians.

Through the righteousness it brings forth in our lives, persecution makes Christians effective. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 says, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”

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• Posted by: Dr. Brenda Robinson