It’s Not Persecution

1 Peter 4:15 says – But let none of you suffer as a…meddler. A meddler is a troublemaker, an agitator, a busybody, someone who’s nosy, and overly intrusive. So, people avoid them when possible. And a meddler isn’t suffering because they’re so like Jesus, but because they’re so obnoxious. 

Of course, you shouldn’t look the other way when someone is being abused. And there are times you should speak up to a person, or report them. But you shouldn’t take every opportunity to be the “corrector inspector.” It isn’t your business to point out every problem with every person. You’re just asking to be labeled as a grouch, a tattle tale, or a gossip. And you can’t call that persecution for being a Christian. Peter is talking about suffering persecution for living right, not about suffering persecution for always telling other people what they’re doing wrong.

If you are a meddler, people don’t dislike you because you are a Christian, but because you act so self-righteous. It’s not persecution. Think about it.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Faultfinding Bullies

A maturing person wants people to help them see what they may have missed. Of course, you want to be teachable. But some people aren’t trying to help you, they are hurting you.

There are always going to be people who don’t like the way that you do certain things. And sometimes people will actively seek to find fault in what you do and to let you know about it. And they may label what you do as sin, even when it isn’t. Some people place blame on others for their own faults.

A newspaper put this in an editorial: “If you find an error, please understand it was put there for a purpose. We try to publish something for everyone, and we knew you’d come looking for it.”

Surely, we all have faults. We all make mistakes. We should all want to learn. But don’t let a faultfinder bully you. You don’t have to fear what they say about you. Instead, have faith in what Jesus says about you.    

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Hear God’s Heart

Hear this word. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. God is using every detail of your life for your ultimate good. This word is that intimate.

Hear this word. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. If you’re a Christian, God is working all things that happen in the entire universe for your ultimate good. This word is that big.

Hear this word. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. God is guiding, guarding, and gifting you, even in suffering. Even the free choices of other people won’t escape God’s plan for you. This word is that sweeping and complete. That’s Romans 8:28. And that’s God’s heart. Hear it! 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

What you do makes a difference

What you do makes a difference in your relationship with God. In Christ, your union with God cannot improve. And it cannot decline. It’s based on God. But your communion with God can improve, and it can decline. It’s based on you. God’s love for you cannot increase or decrease. But your experience of God’s love for you can increase or decrease.

Pursuing obedience, resisting temptation, keeping a short account with sin, forgiving others, suffering well, prayer, Bible study, corporate worship, taking the Lord’s Supper, and attending church can improve your communion with God. You can’t change the nature of your relationship with God, but what you do makes a real difference in your experience of this relationship. You can nurture the relationship, or neglect it. You can find joy in God, or look for joy in the fleeting pleasures and empty treasures of this world. What you do makes a difference.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©