Trouble and persecution will try our hearts
We have already seen that trouble and persecution will come.
This does not mean that God sends trouble and persecution upon His children. Nowhere in the Bible do we see that God sends trouble and persecution upon us.
Contrary, God will judge the people hard, that persecute you, as we read here:
“It is verily a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you”
(2 Thessalonians 1:6)
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But the trouble and persecution that we have to suffer as God’s children in this evil world, will also test our commitment to Jesus.
Yes, we see that in trials, our faith is “tried”:
“now for a season (if need require) you are in heaviness, through manifold trials,
that your faith once tried,
being much more precious then gold that perishes (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto praise, glory, and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
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And we read more details about it here:
“Dearly beloved, be not troubled in this heat, which now is come among you to try you,
as though some strange thing had happened unto you:
but rejoice in as much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings,
that when His glory appears, you may be merry and glad.
If you be railed upon for the name of Christ, happy are you.
For the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you.
On their part He is evil spoken of: but on your part He is glorified.
See that none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
If any man suffers as a Christian man, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:12-16)
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So the trouble and persecution we will meet,
will show whom has Given All the Heart and has a 100% commitment to Jesus, and whom has not.
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So jumping out at trouble and persecution is the first danger.
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How, do you survive this danger?
By having enough rooting and commitment.
By making sure to have a 100% commitment!
Yes, to have Given All the Heart.
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So why not stop right now and make sure that you have given 100%.
One good way of doing it is to pray and think for yourself and visualize really hard situations and choices you can meet.
Like, thinking that you are taken captive and given the choice of denying Jesus or being tortured to death.
What do I do?
(Tip. A second in hell is worse than the worst torture on earth. And hell is eternal. So eternal torture.)
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People “having come by” the first danger, now face another, long term danger.