In 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Paul lays out that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will experience persecution. It is a hard truth, but not an option for those who truly want to follow Christ. If you desire righteousness, you will live it. There is a difference between the moralist who does good to please himself, and the true believer who does good to please God. Only those who act to please God will receive the reward for their sufferings for Him. The godly are promised persecution, because the Devil hates them and so do his children. The ungodly instinctively recognize believers, and hate them as Cain did Abel. God does not allow the Devil to destroy believers, but He does allow him to attack them and tempt them and even physically harm them (see Job). We are to be faithful unto death, and put on the full armor of God so that we may be able to stand firm. God will not save us from persecution and death, but He will enable us to endure it. There are various degrees of persecution, depending on one's age, occupation, country, and etc. We may not have as much persecution as another----this is not to make excuses for ourselves, but to keep a right perspective. We cannot be cowardly or worldly. In verse 13, we are told that evil men and imposters (false prophets) will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being themselves deceived by the Devil. It is a progressive hardening in sin and stiffening of the neck. Apart from God's grace, we also would be on this downward trajectory. May God give us grace to truly follow Him and be firm to the end.
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