All Through the Night

[Christsfreeservant]

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet. 4:12-17)​

Jesus said that we who are his followers are blessed (honored; commended) when we willingly endure persecution, false accusations, rejection, and mistreatment for the sake of his name, and for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the sake of righteousness. So, even though it is painful to suffer unjustly, we should rejoice and be glad that we share in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. We will richly be rewarded in heaven.

He told us that if we follow him as his disciples – if we are walking in his ways and in his truth and righteousness, in obedience to our Lord, and not in sin – we will be treated as he was treated, and we will be hated as he was hated, especially if we are sharing the truth of the gospel and if we are those who are actively refuting the lies of the enemy. So we should expect to be persecuted if we want to live holy and godly lives in Christ Jesus.

And we should not be afraid of what humans may do to us. Jesus Christ will give us all we need to endure, to persevere, and to continue in our faith and in our testimonies for Christ. He will see us through even the darkest of times, and he will bring us safely home to heaven. We just have to trust him, and not give way to fear. We, as well, must forgive our persecutors because Jesus Christ forgave us all our sin; and we should pray for them.

And all of this God allows in our lives for our good to produce in us endurance and godly character, and to test our faith, in order to produce in us steadfastness of faith and spiritual maturity. It is so that the tested genuiness of our faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And it is to teach us to rely on God and not on ourselves.

And we are disciplined by the Lord for our good so that we may share his holiness and so that those of us who have been trained by it will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness. For all suffering is for our good to make us into God’s holy people, to humble us, and to train us in righteousness and in obedience. And because of the things that we suffer, we are able to comfort others in their suffering with the comfort that we received from Christ.

[Matt 5:10-12; Matt 10:16-25; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 6:22-23; Lu 21:12-19; Jn 15:1-21; Jn 16:33; Jn 17:14; Ac 14:22; Rom 5:3-5; Phil 3:7-11; 1 Pet 1:6-7; 1 Pet 4:12-17; 2 Tim 3:12; 1 Thess 3:1-5; Jas 1:2-4; 2 Co 1:3-11; Heb 12:3-12; 1 Jn 3:13; Rev 6:9-11; Rev 7:9-17; Rev 11:1-3; Rev 12:17; Rev 13:1-18; Rev 14:1-13]

All Through the Night

An Original Work / December 7, 2013
Based off Various Scriptures

Blessed are you when you’re persecuted
Because of your faith in Jesus Christ.
Blessed are you when people insult you,
And falsely say what leads folks to doubt.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is
Great in the heavens. You’re not alone.

When you are persecuted in one place,
Flee to another. God will be there.
You will be hated by all the nations
Because you testify of God’s grace.
Many will seize you and persecute you,
And put to death the foll’wers of Christ.

Yet do not fear what humans may do to you,
For I’m with you all through the night.
I tell you, love your enemies with my love,
And forgive as I forgave you.
Pray for those who do evil against you.
Rest in my love and grace from above.