Why are we followers of Jesus Christ? How do we pursue righteousness? Who hunts and persecutes us today?
When we hear the word hunted, we may think of someone who pursues an animal to kill for food. But what about the word persecute, what do we think about when we hear that word used?
You may be thinking about the awful stories of the Holocaust, or you may think of someone who bullies you at school. You may even know what it feels like to receive peer pressure, or a browbeating from others.
To browbeat; that is someone who frowns on you because of what you think, what you do, and how you even act, because it is contrary to what they believe, feel, or think.
Pursued or Pursuing
2 Timothy 3:12… Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness (G2153 eusebos) and are determined to live godly lives with Christ Jesus will be hunted down, persecuted (G1377 dioko) [because of their faith in him].
Notice that Strong’s Concordance #G1377 (dioko) can be translated as chased after, hunted down, to overtake and or apprehend, to persecute.
For those who follow Jesus Christ teachings, we feel the persecution, we know what it is like to be hunted down and apprehended, and for what purpose?
Because they want to question us on what we believe, and ask: “why are you teaching something different than our doctrines?” They ridicule and lie about us saying: “that we should be on medicine, that we are crazy.” They do not understand the happiness, or the joy that we possess from following our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, we delight in living a lifestyle of freedom, and we want to be pleasing before God, so we listen to Jesus Christ who has been appointed our Lord over heaven and earth. Philippians 2:9-11
Strong’s Concordance #G2153 (eusebos) can be translated as devout, religiously, or godly. By living this godly lifestyle we religiously pursue a worship acceptable to God, our devotion would be worked toward others in our actions of love. So how do we pursue righteousness today?
Is it not in the same way? Jesus Christ has been appointed to bring about God’s righteousness, by his judgments and his rulership. He came and provided us examples with instructions on how to pursue God’s righteousness.
Jeremiah 23:5-6… Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah is our righteousness.
Jeremiah 33:14-15… Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will perform that good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
How do we pursue righteousness? It is really simple, obey God’s laws, listen and be obedient to the one he has anointed to be King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ. Be loving, kind and faithful, treat others as you want to be treated. Look out after one another’s interests and take care of orphans and widows. Be a reader of god’s word and listen to the voice behind you and walk in the instruction of the holy spirit.
Isaiah 30:21… Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left
Followers of Jesus Christ
Why are we followers of Jesus Christ?
First of all, God commends us to listen and to be obedient to him, it means our life.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19… I will raise up a prophet from among their brothers like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I commend him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him [and there will be consequences].
Second, the yoke of Christ is light because he shares it with us.
Matthew 11:28-30… Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Lastly, we have come to love him and his ways.
Romans 8:35-39… Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Come Lord Jesus
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