2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
It is easier to think you may be in God's Will when everything is calm and peaceful, and when you are enjoying physical and financial blessings. In modern Christianity , many people equate enjoying material blessings, peace and a trouble-free life to being in God's Will, and in His good books.
This is not necessarily true. God blessed Job. He gave him all he owned, remember every animal of the forest is God's, and the cattle on a thousand hills ( Psalm 50:10). However, when God wanted to test Job's faithfulness to Him, He allowed the devil to spew adversity and pain on Job. Job was in the Will of God when and during his time of adversity and pain. David was found by God and anointed King. Even though it was God's Will for him to become King, this brought him a lot of trouble. He faced many years of living in caves and running away from Saul who wanted to kill him. All of the time that David faced great trouble, he was in God's Will - chosen and anointed as King.
When Moses was sent by God to ask Pharaoh to excuse the Israelites for sometime, so they could go and offer sacrifices to God, Moses was simply obeying God's command. Hence, Moses was in the Will of God. Yet, his request made Pharaoh to instil even a greater pain on the Israelites.God's Will can bring us pain. Daniel was in the Will of God when he prayed many times a day, however, this incurred the wrath of the King, and he was thrown into the Lion's den. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a burning furnace for obeying God.
Jesus was in God's will when He was tortured and crucified. Many martyrs of faith died painful deaths, still standing strong in the Will of God. Paul was beaten and stoned for being in God's Will. Dear one, everyone who desires a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. That is the caution from God's Holy Word.
In 1 Peter 4:12-14; 4:16,19 we are told by Peter that :
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
If you are walking right with God, and yet great trials, persecutions and pain has beset you, do not think that means you are out of God's will. Stand firm on His promises and pray, being thankful and joyful in Him, for He is your deliverer. You can face adversity in God's Will, but through it all, you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus, Amen!
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