Persecution Summary Part II

We cannot control the ones who anger or hurt us.  But we can manage control over our response – because anger is a choice ...that can easily slip into a habit.

You will overcome anger or hate when you really appreciate and understand grace.

The cure for hate is to know you have the capability to hate.

Do you recognize hate in your own life? You might argue that hate is such a harsh word.  It is harsh when we want to live in denial.

How about anger?

It’s hard for some to believe that they need forgiveness from God.

Many times they take forgiveness for granted and don’t believe it was a big deal for God to forgive them!  They feel they deserve it!

They were never really convinced that they were living in sin and the result is they do not love others as completely and fully as they have the potential!

The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you and start focusing on what God did for you.

The hate of people who refused to acknowledge His love is what nailed Jesus to the cross.

God wants to set you free of hate, prejudice, racism, bitterness, addictions, lies, deception, anger and revenge!

 God hates sin – and He sent His Son to break the power of hate and anger that is destroying us, our families and our communities!

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36 NKJV

Most of us endure persecution within our own circle of family, friends and co-workers.   We are persecuted because they are enslaved in bondage to their sin whatever it may be: hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, lust, addictions, lies and deception. 

We must bear our cross and believe that God will empower us to pray them through to salvation and walk in the confidence of knowing He will never ask us to endure more that what we can bear.

Finally, we must obey Him in whatever He tells us to do regarding that situation or person(s) because He has a plan to bring them out of bondage.  Our obedience is the key to that plan.   We can do our part to pray them through or we can disobey and be an obstacle to their deliverance.

It is only those who know God and know His Word; who have committed their lives into His hands; who have given up their own lives and found His; who trust God with their life; who can say with Paul, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”; who will be willing to endure the hardships of persecution for the joy of what lies before them.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”  Matthew 10:22