Normal Persecution

 1 Chronicles 22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3 

“We sent Timothy…to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them…when we were with you, we kept telling you we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way…”

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

Opposition to our faith in Christ when we share the gospel of salvation is normal. Paul prepared his new believers with the normal expectation that both he and they would face persecution. Expectation that persecution is normal, changes how we respond to challenges. When we present the gospel as being all about our fulfillment in life and our happiness, we set new believers up for disappointment and a crisis of faith. Paul’s counsel and prayer for these young believers is that their faith would stand firm in persecution, their love would increase for each other, and their hearts would remain strong in the hope of Christ’s return. Faith, hope and love were his theme. We need the same refocusing and renewed expectations today.

“Lord Jesus, I repent for focusing on my needs and not on your grace toward me and my family. Renew our focus on faith, hope and love, with the normal expectation of persecution, so that we could be found faithful.”