Remember the Creed of Faith

2 Timothy 2:8-13    
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him. 
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us. 
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

We endure persecution for the gospel, for the sake of Christ and all He has done.  The scriptures remind us here that Jesus is the Messiah who rose after suffering and dying to pay the price and sentence of our sin, and we take on His sufferings as He did ours.  Paul is an example of suffering as one doing good, but others calling the good evil just as they call evil good (Isa.5:20).  We may suffer as martyrs (witnesses) also, even being chained (jailed), but can use the opportunity to preach the truth of the gospel; nothing shackles the word of God!  This truth can help us endure the persecution for ourselves and the others God chose to call that they may hear and be drawn by His Spirit and word to the salvation they are appointed to with all its glory who is the Lamb.  This saying or creed of the time reminds us of essential truths in this matter; it reminds us that we die and live for Christ, that endurance now leads to reigning with the King of glory after death, that faithfulness is essential but His faithfulness to us is not performance determinate, and His promises of these things accompanying our salvation are based on the absolute faithfulness and grace of God alone in Christ alone by grace through faith alone, all for His glory alone and not by our works to earn or even keep what He gives.  Amen.