Suffer Hardship

There are many passages within the confines of Scripture that give us different descriptions and perspectives on persecution. One of my personal favorites is found in the book of II Timothy.

II Timothy 2:3 "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
-When we face the coming persecution, we must suffer it as a good soldier.
-So, how does one suffer as a good soldier?

II Timothy 2:4 "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."
-Just as soldiers keep focused on the tasks at hand, so must we remain focused on our task: Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
-Remaining focused on the spreading the gospel will help us to endure the persecution we face.
-Now that we have addressed how to endure persecution, why exactly are we urged so strongly to endure the persecution as good soldiers?

II Timothy 2:10 "For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory."
-There are two main reasons that Christians must endure persecution/suffering as good soldiers:
     1.) So that the gospel will be lived out before the persecutors by means of the persecuted.
     2.) So that by our faithfulness to the gospel, young believers will see our example and remain steadfast through the persecution.
-After observing verse 10, we can then look back on verse 9 and have a deeper appreciation for what it says.

II Timothy 2:9 "...for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned."
-Remember that even when Christians are being persecuted, the gospel will still prevail, and ring throughout the nations, as there is nothing that can hold back the Truth.
-Finally, two questions can be derived from this short study:
     1.) What if I never face persecution?
     2.) Does God really allow His people to face persecution?

II Timothy 3:12 "Indeed all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
-If a person is truly regenerated in Christ, they will indeed be persecuted either by the world or by principalities.

In conclusion, though we face persecution, our Message is worth everything, and will prevail. God will give us the means to endure persecution, so long as our faith resides in Him.