Pam Padgett ... teacher
Jesus taught that as He was hated, so we will be hated if we
believe in Him and uphold His word. We must endure the various
tribulations we face, continuing in the faith, throughout our lives ...
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Jesus gave teachings and instructions that help us to endure persecutions. We are reminded that Jesus has gone before us in being hated. If we are following Him, we will be treated as He was ...
Matthew 10:24
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the
servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world
would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember
the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they
have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things
will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that
sent me.
Jesus gave us help in dealing with the fears that come to us when we are
persecuted, teaching that the truth about each situation we face will
be revealed at some point; it cannot be hidden ... those who hate us
have no power over our souls so we must not fear them, but fear God ...
and God cares deeply for us and is watching over each detail of our
lives; we are not abandoned ...
Matthew 10:26
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not
be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I tell you in
darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that
preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body,
but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to
destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a
farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your
Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye
not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
We are assured that enduring persecutions because of the word of God is not in vain, for is we
speak and act before men according to the word of God, Jesus will
confess us before the Father. But if we don't, Jesus will deny us
before the Father.
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me
before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
And Jesus prepared us to be hated even by our own families ...
Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send
peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against
his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own
household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not
worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after
me, is not worthy of me.
As we are persecuted because of the word of God, we "lose" our life among those of the world as
they shun, hate, and try to harm us. Jesus taught us, however, that
when we lose our life among those of the world, we find our life (our
life in Him) ...
Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
We are also strengthened by Paul reminding us that the suffering we
endure on this earth doesn't compare to the glory to come ...
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
And Peter exhorted us to rejoice and not be ashamed when we suffer for the sake of the word of God ...
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of
Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be
glad also with exceeding joy. 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. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief,
or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if
any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf.