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NASB | 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]. |
Bible Question:
2 Tim. 3:12 says; "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." From the above verse, my question is: Does the fear of persceution, keep us from living a more godly life? The promise in the verse is not might be persecuted, but rather "will be persecuted" Your thoughts please Grace be with you zach† |
Bible Answer: Greetings, zach†. Reading your question and the answers posted prior to this one brought the following passage to mind: "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." [Matt. 5:10-12 NASB] If we really understood what persecution was about, we would not avoid it, we would rather welcome it. "...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." [Phil. 3:10-11 NASB] I am convinced that many consider the personal sacrifice too great to really follow Jesus. To be truly identified with Him invariably brings separation and loss. 'So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.' [John 8:31-32 Amplified] "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ... So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions." [Luke 14:26-33 NASB] Excellent, thought-provoking question. Kind regards, Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |