MONDAY April 12, 2021

The Perils of Persecution

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Galatians 6:16-18

Paul spoke of the true Israel––the Israel of God––the people of God. Like the people of God, Christians have upon their lives His great peace and mercy––amazing! While serving the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul bore in his body the marks he suffered. Paul suffered tremendously:

...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things... (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Jesus suffered, Paul suffered and as Christ’s disciple, know that you will also suffer the perils of persecution. The Apostle Peter advised: Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19). God’s grace will carry you through.

Notice, we began the book of Galatians with God’s grace: Grace to you... and we now conclude the book with God’s grace, Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. What great grace!

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began....
~2 Timothy 1:8-9~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!