The Proof Is In the Persecution

220 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 2:8b,9 “ according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.” Paul endured much hardship for the sake of the gospel. He mentions these hardships in 2Co 11:24-27, “ From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--” It's not easy claiming that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life! Ultimately, it was this intolerant claim from Paul that cost him his life at the hands of the Roman emperor Nero. Francis Schaefer in his classic work, “How Then Shall We Live,” (which I highly recommend) states that the Christians weren't martyred by Rome because they were followers of Christ. Rome could care less about your religion! Many different religions were tolerated by Rome. Schaefer maintains that the Christians insistence that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, put them in direct opposition to the states required worship of the emperor! And this is why they were persecuted and put to death. Do you want to avoid persecution? Then just buy into the philosophy that all roads lead to heaven. Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, etc, it doesn't matter, just be a good person and you will do just fine in the afterlife. Just cross out Jn 14:6 from your Bible and your vocabulary, and the world will leave you alone, in fact they will praise you for your tolerance! If you don't know Jn 14:6 by heart, I urge you to memorize it, because that's where Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Believe it! Do not be ashamed to proclaim it, for this is where the faith proving heat of persecution will come from. Speaking of persecution in Php 1:27-29, we read, “ that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” The proof, is in the persecution, and if you really want to experience it, stand fast on the Christian proclamation that Jesus is the only way to life!