Don't Become Like our Persecutors

Matthew 24:11-13

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

All born-again believers endure to the end. The fact that they endure to the end is proof they belonged to God all along.

The proof that someone was never born again is that they do not endure to the end.

When someone has been changed into a new creation by Christ they are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise as a guarantee of their inheritance.

Ephesians 1:13-15 "…13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is the pledge (guarantee) of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

5 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,…"

Those who love Jesus Christ having been changed by Him will have a deep abiding love for all other believers. There is a connection between every born-again believer that can only exist between those who have the Holy Spirit.

1 John 3:13-15 "…13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer."

When we do not experience love from those who say they are Christians it is possible we are encountering a pretender, someone who has never been born again but chooses to call themselves a Christian. There are many people who fit this profile.

We are to treat all people with love and respect whether or not they treat us that way. However, we are free to choose our companions, those who love the Lord and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit ought to be our close friends.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Romans 12:10

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

1 John 3:14

"We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."

Those who express continual angst, causing drama wherever they go do not abide in love. When we love others we seek to do what is best for them and what is most helpful.

May the Lord help us to respond correctly in the power of the Holy Spirit as we watch the foolishness that those who love drama embrace and execute on others.

We cannot change those who act badly and without love and grace but we can make sure we do not take on their ways by responding in kind. The devil loves to cause us to exact revenge ultimately becoming like the ones who do not love. His purpose is to make us fall into hatred and revenge like our persecutors. Our clear conscience is far more important than making sure we have our pound of flesh or that we are proven right. God sees everything, their heart, our heart, and all the circumstances, that's all that is important to us, what our God thinks of it all.

God commands us to avoid those who claim to be believers but have no fruit of the Spirit and reject the Bible as their standard for living.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,

4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."

We are now living in a world full of hatred and anger toward God, His ways, and His people. Let us resist becoming like the world by seeking Christ every day for everything. May our responses be those of the Holy Spirit and not our own emotions.

Let the Holy Spirit reign in your hearts so that the world will see Christ in us and not us!!!!

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease."