Truly Persecuted?

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,…” – 2 Tim 3:12 ESV

We live in a much different time and culture than that of Paul and Timothy.  Though some modern cultures still physically persecute and even kill Christians, the one we live in isn’t much of a comparison in those regards.  That being said, I believe the promise of 2 Tim 3:12 still holds true.  All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Our persecution may or may not be physical, but if there is none, I think we need to ask ourselves why.  If there is no persecution from our culture does that mean that our lives don’t at all differ from our culture?

I’m not saying that you go around picking spiritual fights or declairing jihad on those you disagree with.  But, are we striving, by the grace of Christ through the Holy Spirit, to live a godly life of worship to the Father?  Even living in the “moral” South there is persecution when you try to live your life according to the Bible in stead of the moral, religious traditions of your fathers.  I think it is good that we examine our lives in this way.  Either we are blending into culture so as to “not rock the boat”, or we have surrounded ourselves with only people that believe as we do and therefore are not in the world at all spreading the light of Christ.

I mention all this only because I have had to ask myself the same questions lately.  My prayer is the God lines me up with how He designed the world to operate (as revealed in His Word) and when persecution comes, He gives me the strength and boldness to endure and give an account as to why I hold that belief.