Persecution in Pursuit of God and the Gospel

2 Timothy 3:10-13    
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Unlike those who do not progress as they accumulate knowledge without knowing God in Christ, Timothy was regenerated and had the Holy Spirit living in Him.  He therefore was driven to follow sound teaching, imitating godly men like Paul.  He used the examples of how to live by the scriptures lived out in others, patterning his life by the purposes of God in them, trusted God’s sovereign work, and patiently endured suffering and persecution.  He saw how God brought Paul through (not from) all the troubles, delivering him for His purposes of bringing the words of life to those who had not yet heard.  The main lesson here is for us also - if we live for God and pursue Him and His gospel, we will most definitely suffer persecution.  Life in Christ results in being treated as He was by man.  We are not promised health or carefree living or deliverance from the pain of suffering, though He will bring us through the tribulations we endure for His name’s sake.  If we reject this, we are like the evil imposters mentioned here who are deceived as they deceive others with peace and prosperity, which is no gospel but a deception which only leads downward.  Instead, we endure persecution in pursuit of Christ and the gospel.