The Prize
Believers face all kinds of persecution for the faith. Living godly in Christ Jesus inevitably brings persecution.
2 Tim 3:12
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
In the modern western world, the average Christian experiences mocking, criticism, humiliation, insults, and sometimes isolation or abandonment for their faith at one time or another in their life. In other parts of the world they might also experience beatings, arrest, imprisonment, torture, burning or death for their faith (these things do also occasionally occur in the western world as well).
Even in our day to day lives we can experience persecution. For example, when you briefly mention Jesus in a conversation with someone and they roll their eyes at you. Or when you buy a grandchild a storybook Bible and the parents throw it away. Or if you give an extended family member the gospel and they tell you that you belong in a mental institution. Or if you overhear people at work making fun of you for being a Christian. Or when you are watching something on TV that seems innocent at first and then suddenly they start mocking Christians or God Himself or use the Lord's name in vain. Or when you raised your child with sound grace doctrine, but they turn away from the faith as an adult. Or when you reject denominationalism, and fully embrace sound grace doctrine rightly divided, some believers might choose to not speak with you anymore because you are no longer a part of their particular group.
It can all leave you feeling very weary. I believe that this is one reason why Paul refers to our life journey as believers as being like a race. It can wear you out! But, we can't let these persecutions stop us from continuing on with the work of the ministry (sharing the Gospel and teaching others sound grace doctrine).
Paul says in Phil 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We just have to keep pressing forward! Our rewards for our persecution and suffering will await us at the judgment seat of Christ.
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
1 Cor 3:8
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour."
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