2 Timothy 3:12

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

     One of the things that Jesus never hid from his disciples is that they would be persecuted. He wanted them to know and understand that they would never win a popularity contest. The world would always reject them because they were not of the world. This was to be expected because Jesus was persecuted. Consider that Jesus was continually persecuted. No one had more wisdom or more love. If Jesus could not be popular, there is no reason for His disciples to expect that they would either.

     His disciples learned this lesson well. In Acts 4, the disciples were persecuted by the Jews. They did not respond by sulking or going into hiding. Instead they actually rejoiced. Their joy came from being righteous enough to be persecuted. It was an accidental compliment by the Pharisees. They did not realize that such persecution meant that they were indeed like Jesus. This shows that they completely understood that being a Christian meant they would be persecuted.

     As Christians, we should expect that we too would be persecuted. Those who are spiritual today will not face any less resistance. However, we need to make sure that we are persecuted for the right reason. It should not be because we are hateful or treat people wrong. Instead it must be because we are right with God and they resent that spiritual nature. If we are persecuted for those reasons we too should rejoice. By joining him in suffering, we will share with Him in glory.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.