MUST EVERY CHRISTIAN SUFFER PERSECUTION?

In the recent times, the word ‘Christian’ has become a name given to everyone that has identified with a church denomination that names the name of Christ.

In Nigeria for instance, some have erroneously believed that anybody from the southern part of the country is a Christian while those from the northern part are Moslems. In reality, the membership of a church denomination does not qualify one to be a Christian.

In fact, bearing a Christian name or title in never a yardstick to say that someone is a Christian. In other words, you reading this article may actually not be a Christian. Pause and think about it for a moment. Hmm! Let’s leave that part for now.
Who then is a Christian? In simple terms, a Christian is someone that has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and has decided to live like Jesus lived. Note that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (ref Acts 11:26), and that was not because of how they were shouting on top of their voices while singing and praying, but because of the way they lived.

They had a life-doctrine that directed the way they lived. They never held the doctrine to themselves. Men saw and felt their lives and even at a time accused them to have filled the whole of Jerusalem with their doctrine (ref Acts 5: 28). So, membership of any Christian denomination or bearing the highest Christian title of office does not make one a Christian.

It’s hard to say that some church leaders, even at the highest level are not Christians. Let me also stop this for now.
From the foregoing, we have known who a Christian is and who he is not in simple terms. The theme question is, MUST ALL CHRISTIANS SUFFER PERSECUTION? I just need one scriptural passage to answer this question.
2Timothy 3:12
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”
Talking about number, it is not all persons that identified with Christian organizations, churches, or bear Christian names that shall suffer persecution. However, all persons that have decided to live godly life that is motivated by Christ, they are the ones that must suffer persecution. The word ‘shall’ does not suggest probability. The moment you decided to live godly life motivated by Christ, be ready for persecution.

Besides this, you may be in the church, and you may have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and still, you may decide not to live godly life that is motivated by Christ, yes, you will be the men’s man, but you are not God’s man. Don’t expect persecution. Don’t even be surprised if you don’t suffer but enjoy the things of the world. But remember, Jesus will be ashamed to identify you before the father in heaven.

Now ask yourself; How am I living my life? Am I the men’s man? Does the corrupt system and the organization where I belong love me because I don’t confront evil? Do they appreciate my version of Christianity because it does not trouble sin and corruption around me? Do unbelievers in my area take solace in the fact that I can cohabit with them without being troubled about the so-called Jesus things? Do they like me because I cover their nakedness by minding my business leaving the king’s business to suffer loss? Am I living like Jesus? If Jesus were to be today in my stead, will He do what I am doing now? Could the way I live be the reason I have not suffered persecution?
Can you bow your heart and ask God for mercy? Can you resolve to begin to live as Jesus lived no matter how?
May the Lord help us in the name of Jesus Christ.