PERSECUTOR OR PERSECUTED Living with joy, even in the midst of trials, troubles, and testings. - By Pastor Greg We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh (II Cor. 4:8-11). When I think of someone in the Old Testament that suffered untold heartache and sorrow, I think of poor Job. Job lost practically everything he had including his family, health, and possessions; but he remained true to his God. Naked he came into this world, naked he would depart. When I think of someone in the New Testament that suffered similarly to Job, I think of the Apostle Paul. The Scripture quoted above was from his inspired pen. Paul said he was troubled on every side. Once being the persecutor of the Church as Saul, Paul became the precipitant of persecution. He was ridiculed for his faith in a man who claim to be Gods Son. He was imprisoned for preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. He was beaten, shipwrecked, and left to rot in a dungeon filled with filth, rats and cockroaches. The Apostle said Persecuted, but not forsaken. Even among the cloak of darkness, stench and unimaginable conditions, Paul was able to exclaim I am not forsaken! The Spirit of the living God was comforting his heart, filling it with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Like gentle rain filling a dry, barren desert; the seeds of Gods Word began to grow, mature and bloom in Pauls heart. Each day a new bulb burst open with the fragrance of Jesus Christ in his heart and soul. He went on to say he was cast down, but not destroyed. Nothing man could do to him was as bad as what they did to his Savior. Therefore, he was not destroyed. He retained his dignity and hope. Even in the darkness flooding his prison cell like an horrid beast, Pauls heart sang the praises of the Lord. If only we could have a glimpse of the time he spent incarcerated, I believe we would have witnessed the glow of Heaven the Shekinah glory of the Lord saturating his cell and the love of Jesus warming his heart. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. The man who would not hesitate to order the torture and death of anyone who claimed to be a follower of Christ, was now transformed to such an extent that he was willing to bear the marks of Christ, take up his cross, and follow Jesus; even if it cost him everything, including his life. Think about it: Paul probably possessed only the clothes on his back while in prison, whereas before coming face to face with this Man of Galilee; he was a very wealthy man of status. While among the creepy crawlers scurrying, biting, clawing and defecating on him, his health began to decline rapidly. Coldness filled his bones from the cold, damp, floor. the absence of light may have lead to his deterioration of eyesight. His joints no doubt ached as each night he lay on the hard cobble stones paving the holding cell. All sense of time was lost. Days became night; night became days. The food he was feed was probably not fit for the hog troughs - if you can call it food at all. I dare say, most, if not none of us have ever undergone what Paul went through. Yet through all this Paul remained true to his Lord - bold, brazen, and bound to witness to the guards that brought him his daily rations. Even in untold pain and suffering he gave treatise to God in the flesh - crucified, crying, and covering the sins of mankind with holy blood. Blood that is able to pardon and cleanse within. Blood that is sufficient to wash even the vilest of vile to vanish every spot and stain. You may be wondering by now why Paul was willing to undergo such excruciating circumstances for a Man who he only met one time on the Damascus Road. Behold my friends, this is why: for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh Are you about ready to give a shout to the Worthy One?! Paul was willing to give up the pleasures of this earthly existence, even life itself for one reason - that Jesus could be seen through his suffering and persecution. He gave up freedom that others could be set free. He gave up the light of day that others could see the Light of Glory. He gave up comfort that the Comforter could comfort others. He gave up food that others could taste of the Lord and see that He is good. He gave up earthly possessions that others could inherit the riches of a Heavenly endowment. Paul gave it up that others could enjoy the glory and brilliance he experienced while on his Damascus journey. My friends, many of you are suffering far more than I can imagine. Darkness, depression, discouragement, disillusionment, and even death is surrounding you like a vicious plague. The Devil is whispering ever so subtle, Give it up. No ones cares abut you! Throw in the old towel - after all, why would Jesus allow you to suffer if He really loved you? Why hasnt he delivered you from this thick, foreboding darkness that surrounds your ever-waking-day? Listen to me Christian, like Paul we are to take up our cross, and if called upon, bear the marks of our Lord. Not one time did Jesus tell us that our lives would always be a bead of silken rose pedals. Not one time did he promise earthly riches and barns of wealth. Never does the Word of God indorse health, wealth and prosperity. Rather, we are to give up the pleasures of sin and put on the righteousness of Christ. We are to look unto Him and not unto our circumstances. We are to live in such a way - although unpleasant at times - that others will see a living, breathing Savior residing in us. Paul the persecutor meet Jesus one day, and from that point on he became the persecuted. Are we willing to do the same? Dear Father, its now 1:30 AM in the morning. You gave me clarity of mind and stayed the sleepiness in my eyes to write out this message. In addition to myself, I know there are others who need this Word from the Lord. Use it in such a way as to encourage, exhort, and excite the child of God to center their lives on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In His name I pray, plead and proclaim - Pastor Greg.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 05:55:38 +0000
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