Persecution (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

No one ever cries out to be persecuted…well, no sane person anyway. But a lot of the Scriptures address the subject of persecution, so we need to look at it, too.

Persecution, meaning harassment or punishment for what you believe in is a tough place to be; but the end result of being persecuted can actually help you…if you let it! Your response to persecution determines whether you will be bitter about it or better because of it.

But in order to achieve the more perfect result from being persecuted, two other areas need to be included, that of submission and suffering. Yeah, I know…most people’s favorite subjects!

In 1 Peter, chapters 1 through 5, we are given some of the areas in which God indicates we should practice submission: citizenship, marriage, work, and Christian ministry. How is that connected you may ask? Well, to get through any persecution and suffering in a more amenable way you have to submit ever so totally to God; to trust Him and depend on Him for your rescue and resolve.

The areas listed throughout the Book of 1 Peter amply cover most aspects of our lives in which we can practice, practice, practice because you cannot effectively submit to God unless you are practiced in submission. So even though most of us loathe persecution, suffering and submission, they are intricately woven with each other to help us, rather than hinder us in seeking and serving God and mankind. Listen to the sermon and glean even more gems of God’s wisdom.

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