2 Thess 1:4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
In the book of Acts as many were coming to Christ, many were gathered around Jerusalem and the other known areas where Jews lived. The Word of God is like a seed. When we first believed and become saved, the Word of God is planted in our hearts. Our hearts is the soil. However, like a seed, we must grow into full maturity. Yes, we are saved but we are also being saved and our salvation must come to full maturity. When a farmer sows a seed, they must wait a season, cultivating, and expecting a harvest such as fruit. God is expecting us to bear HIS fruit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we do not bear fruit or if the storms or insects have have affected us and our roots are shallow, the tree may be uprooted and eventually such trees that do not bear fruit are cast away.
As the Christians in the days of Acts prayed, worshiped, fed on His Word and grew, many of them were probably pondering on how to evangelize to the other nations. They must have prayed asking God to open a way. We, Christians, must dig deeper into the Word to know HIS Ways. When we discern HIS ways, we will have peace, provisions, and His strength in the mist of all storms of life knowing HE is in full control and HE is allowing such things.
Therefore, to spread the seed or Word of God, how did HE answer their prayers. God allowed persecution to come into the land. Through persecution, the Christians scattered to all other nations thus spreading the Seed or Word of God. As a result of persecution, Christianity flourished in the midst of such storm. Without persecution, many of the Christians may not have answered God's calling but stayed at home in their comfort.
We must understand, God allows difficult tests, trials, and tribulations to come onto our lives so that we may birth testimonies and glorify HIM. How are we to glorify HIM if our lives are living on a beach drinking coconut water evangelizing or testifying laying on a beach towel? This is not to say this may not happen but to make us worthy of HIS Kingdom, we are called to suffer. We must learn to embrace suffering. But in our culture and in this century, many Christians are like the world, we have fatten ourselves for the slaughter and we have a very low tolerance for suffering and enduring hardship.
When persecution comes to God's people, how are they to respond and pray? Are they to pray preventing persecution and suffering? This is why many Christians are stuck. They are not praying according to the Will of God but they are praying to seek their comfort and security. For example, maybe during persecution some had lost their homes and are still praying for their homes to be restored. But perhaps, God wants them out of their homes and wants them to do HIS Work and this is why HE allows persecution to come.
Let us look at above scriptures. God is allowing persecution so that HE may reveal HIS JUSTICE and to MAKE US WORTHY FOR HIS KINGDOM. If this is the case, then we are called to endure such suffering for HIS Glory and rather than complaining we need to be praying for strength and the power to persevere and endure all things for HIS Glory.
Whether persecution, famine, war, pandemics, or other worldly crisis, God is in full control and HE is allowing such things. HE is testing HIS people for their worthiness in the Kingdom. Moreover, there is purpose to such events and since many do not know God's ways, they are called to live in faith and to stay in prayer without ceasing. The bible says we must thank God in ALL our circumstances. Yes, HE is working behind the scenes and we must endure any hardship or suffering so that HE may be glorified. Rather than living in fear of crisis, we as Christians who live in faith and know HE is faithful can weather all storms of life in peace even though the world may be in chaos.
For those who pass their tests and endure suffering and hardships will find REST in HIM. Those who overcome are truly born of God.
2 Thess 1:11-12 May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
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