Continue

Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. (2 Timothy 3:12–14, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Being a committed follower of Christ means pursuing a Godly life. A pursuit that is not for the faint of heart. There will be persecution and attempts at deception meant to discourage believers and cause them to take their eye off the prize. But we are not alone. “Know that the Lord has set apart the Godly for himself; the Lord will hear when [we] call to him.” (Psalm 4:3, NIV 1984).

Here are a couple more words of encouragement from the lips of Jesus.

Regarding Persecution – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV 1984). Because He overcame, believers will too.

Regarding Deception – “False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard.” (Mark 13:22–23, NIV 1984). Keeping up our guard is critical to not being deceived.

My Advice – We must continue in our convictions, not only because “[we] know those from whom [we] learned it,” but also because we know its source – the Holy Scriptures. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15–17, NIV 1984).