One promise we would rather not have ∙
Everyone who wants to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. – 2 Timothy 3:12
John 15:18-21
18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world. Therefore, the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name because they do not know him who sent me.
Being human often involves making promises we do not keep, especially when attempting to assist others. We make unrealistic promises that we cannot fulfill, leading to frustration, shame, and sadness.
How can we avoid overpromising and making promises we can keep? It begins with clear thinking and thoughtful consideration. Assess the situation to understand what needs to be done and feasible ways we can help. Focus on what is realistically possible and what you are capable of delivering. Make wise selections and then dedicate yourself to fulfilling them.
Key strategies include making promises that are:
- Specific and tangible.
Keep your offer to help unambiguous, well-defined, and precise.
- Simple, doable in small steps, and time-limited.
Your offer should be achievable in a few simple, easy steps.
- Sincere and honest with oneself.
Be proactive and take time to reflect. Give yourself time to come up with achievable commitments.
- Frequently reassessed by checking in regularly.
Do not leave people hanging. Follow-up. (Condensed from Devon Frye, Psychology Today, December 31, 2021)
The Father makes promises and commitments, with some exceeding our greatest dreams and wildest imagination but others not so much. Every child of the King is promised that suffering will be a part of life, attributed to the fact that “the unbelieving world will always remain deeply hostile to the gospel” (ESV).
The Father has promised that all children of the King who aspire to live a godly life through the Lord Jesus Christ will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
“This is one of those promises of God that we’d really rather do without. God tells us this, not to discourage us, but to prepare us for the inevitable so that we can shine for Him when the time comes” (Stanley).
The cause of persecution is unambiguous: a godly lifestyle highlights the wrongdoings of others, a revelation many find uncomfortable. Rather than addressing their misdeeds and seeking redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ, they aim to eliminate the source of their irritation.
To withstand and overcome persecution, remember that the world rejected Jesus Christ. Serving the Lord Jesus Christ flows from our identification with Him.
John 15:18-25
18 If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
20 Do you remember what I told you? “A slave is not greater than the master.” Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.
22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.
24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father.
25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: “They hated me without cause.”
This truth forms the foundation of the biblical principles upon which we began our Christian faith. We are to stand upon the Truth we have learned and move forward.
Colossians 2:6 Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
2 Timothy 3:14 But you must remain faithful to what you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father is always aware of what was, what is, and what will come. He never says, “Whoops!”
Father I often struggle to get this right. I find myself filled with self-doubt. I misunderstood the struggle. Help me recognize and accept that I must become weak before becoming strong in You.
INSIGHT
We often think it’s our fault when things don’t go well. Somehow, there must be something wrong with us. We struggle to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
We have this backward. The Father chose each child of the King for His purposes. He prepares us to accomplish His dream for us. Frequently, that preparation is very challenging, even grievous.
We must learn to be weak before we can become strong.
When Paul met the Lord Jesus Christ, his life was transformed. He started seeing the world not merely with human eyes but with spiritual clarity that he had never experienced before. But Paul had to go through even more challenges. The Father allowed him to face tricky, challenging, sometimes overwhelming trials to keep him humble and prevent pride (2 Corinthians 12:7). During these times of adversity, Paul discovered something surprising: weakness is strength.
Father values our humility and, in turn, fills our lives with His strength and blessings. Being weak in some areas is nothing to be ashamed of (Stanley). Recognizing our weaknesses was the Father’s plan all along.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time, he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
A perspective rooted in biblical principles is crucial for a solid connection with the Father and vital for serving Him. Close fellowship with Him flows from it. The Father uses our prayers, words, actions, and service to accomplish His purpose on earth. We live to serve Him and to carry out the work He has assigned to us. We are called to join Him in this endeavor.
“The Word of God, living and growing within us, produces lasting and increasing joy. A lack of joy in a Christian’s life often can be traced to a lack of concentrated devotional time in God’s Word” (Stanley).
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 