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Persecution

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lilitalienboi16:
Hi Nelson,

Those that belong to God cannot be lost regardless of what your preconceived notions of persecution may be. The elect were chosen from before the foundation of the world and it is God who justifies them.

I know that the apostle John lived to be around a hundred years old and died of old age rather than some death due to persecution.

God scattered His flock across the four corners of the earth and He will gather them again to Himself when He returns but each of them will be apart of the kingdom because of their uniqueness. God delights in diversity, just look around you.

Not all of us are appointed the same fate. I am grateful that my life is peace relatively and that God has afforded me the opportunity to work on my own sins and the beast within through the fires of gehenna rather than fear for my life every minute.

Perhaps one day this will change but either way God can and will save us regardless of our circumstances if He has planned to do so in this life.

God bless,
Alex

Joel:
Hi Nelson,
I see anyone that doesn't take heed to Jesus's warning about casting their pearls before swine, as producing their own persecution at the hand of others to a certain degree.

Matthew 7:6-Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Joel

rick:

--- Quote from: lilitalienboi16 on August 06, 2015, 03:58:23 PM ---
Those that belong to God cannot be lost regardless of what your preconceived notions of persecution may be. The elect were chosen from before the foundation of the world and it is God who justifies them.



--- End quote ---



All I can say to that Alex, is a big Amen, now that is pure truth! Those who God has chosen are the elect period.   :)

indianabob:
To add a little personal experience and to agree with Alex.

In this life in the advanced Western nations, persecution and testing can come from the temptations that Satan places before everyone especially those who believe.

In a nation such as America even the poor have much riches to tempt them.

We live in air conditioned houses or apartments, we have free libraries with free internet use, economical food and access to at least low paying jobs that provide the bare essentials of life when we know that others have so much less. So to not be grateful or thankful and harbor resentment can be an inner persecution needing correction.

Unjust resentment of others who seem to have more of what we would like.
Regularly bending the truth in order to get welfare money or tax exemptions.
Failing to perform your assigned work and thereby cheating the employer.
Criticizing fellow workers in order to make ourselves seem better.
Failing to help a neighbor when you have the means to do so, even if it's only a kind word or listening to their problems when they are sad and depressed.

Even a very rich person may lust for more; more money, a larger house, a more attractive wife, coveting what anyone else has etc.
Coveting, the 10th commandment, comes before every other sin of the heart.

These are temptations that most people in poor nations have not even thought of, possibly because everyone else is in the same circumstance.

...to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

Hebrews 12:1...29 read all

let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Once God has called us and we then become aware of that calling and the indwelling of His holy spirit, we are required to be thankful and show our appreciation and to communicate with God as to a kind friend who has abundantly blessed us. If we do not we then become ungrateful children...needing further correction.

Romans 12: 1-21

This chapter has many guidelines for the true child of God to use to examine themselves and to make good use of the gifts we have received, thereby honoring God and Christ.

Indiana Bob

Nelson Boils:
Hi Indiana Bob

You say".. persecution and testing can come from the temptations that Satan places before everyone especially those who believe."

And:"So to not be grateful or thankful and harbor resentment can be an inner persecution needing correction."

Actually,temptation is not persecution nor does persecution come from the inside,friend.That's not "real persecution!"

Check this email from Ray

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,5712.msg46266.html#msg46266html#msg46266

Dear Mark:
No, as used in the Scriptures, persecution always comes from without from others,
not from within. Here is just one of many such examples:  "If THEY have persecuted Me, THEY will also persecute you..."  (John 15:20).
God be with you,
Ray

We must suffer real persecution,from THEM.

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