IF IT BE THE LORDS WILL!!
JAMES 4:13-15
13Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
4: 14-16 Again Peter brings to mind Jesus’ words: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5: 11). Christ will send his Spirit to strengthen those who are persecuted for their faith. Peter creates no illusions— God’s plan for your life may include pain and hardship. When trouble comes, don’t be surprised. This does not mean that all Christian conduct causes suffering. Peter distinguishes between suffering for being a believer and suffering for doing wrong things. For example, a Christian may feel picked on for being a person of faith when it is obvious to everyone else that it is his or her own unpleasant behavior that is causing the problems. Careful thought or wise counsel may be needed to determine the real cause of our suffering. We can be assured, however, that whenever we suffer because of our loyalty to Christ, he will be with us all the way.
4: 16 We should never be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. When Peter and the other apostles were persecuted for preaching the gospel, they rejoiced because such persecution was a mark of God’s approval of their work (Acts 5: 41). Don’t seek out suffering, and don’t try to avoid it. Instead, keep on doing what is right whether or not it brings suffering.
Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible.
ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and know that we will suffer persecution for being a believer. Yet know that in all our sufferings for CHRIST that he will give us the strength to endure whatever society can put before us in GODS WILL BE DONE!
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS