I’ll take a few moments and paint a picture of what it was like in the early church. James became the first martyr. Herod started persecuting the church and decided to kill James with a sword. Peter was taken prisoner and it wouldn’t be the last time that happened. Dorcas, who had been a great help to others, died. Trouble with the saints lying about things they shouldn’t be lying about seemed to be infiltrating the church.
How would you like to be a Christian under those circumstances? Do you think the stressors of being a Christian ended in the early church? Is it possible that you believe that in our age being a Christian is an easy road? Biblically speaking, that’s not supposed to be the case. We might not have physical persecution, but there’s certainly emotional persecution.
Here is a promise the Lord left us that you can hang on to:
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The promise of peace and tribulation is in the same verse.
Give it some thought.
Gary