Two weeks ago we left off by saying that pure and unified churches can reach the world with evangelism that surges with power from God and that persecution will come to those who live a holy life.  2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” If you are not suffering persecution you’re not living godly. You have to get a reaction from Satan because he reacts to the purity of God.  Peter certainly knew about persecution and he finally got crucified upside down. In 1 Peter 2:20 it says, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” Peter encouraged us to be kind, loyal and persevere even in the face of unjust treatment. By doing so, we can win others to Christ by setting a good example. Last week we learned that we can place ourselves in the wilderness and suffer due to our disobedience to God but sometimes we suffer as a result of this fallen world.  Peter is talking about suffering for doing good deeds. Jesus suffered this kind of persecution and it was God’s plan so that mankind would be saved from their sins. All who follow Jesus should be prepared to suffer and we should face that suffering with patience, calmness and confidence that God is in control of our future.

     When a church is pure and powerful and it moves out among the world, there is going to be a reaction. Praise God for that reaction because that prepares the church for doing wonderful things. This is acceptable with God and He planned it this way. It’s God’s will for Christians to suffer. The bible tells us in I Peter 4:14, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” God’s will for our life is for us to be saved, (I Timothy 2:4); spirit filled (Ephesians 5:15); sanctified (I Thessalonians 4); and suffer (I Peter) the kind of suffering that is not self-imposed but rather, the kind of suffering that is the response of the system to our godliness. Matthew 5: 11-12 says, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” In Romans 8:17 “. . . we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” I believe there are special rewards in heaven for those who are willing to be bold and confront the world with a holy and powerful life and take whatever suffering comes about.

   God is willing to move in churches that have unity and purity where His holy power is free to operate.  He is ready to perform His greatest miracle of bringing converts into a new birth and add more souls into His kingdom. All He commands us to do is preach the gospel and spread the His good news to others.  He will do the rest.