Guilt by Association Part 2

Sunday, February 13, 2022
Guilt by Association Part 2
2 Timothy 1: 11-14

Paul was a Christian first, he was called to become an apostle and a preacher and specifically called to teach the gospel to the Gentiles.

12A - What things did Paul suffer?

We’ll let us look   at 2 Corinthians 11: 16-31.

Through it all he endured, he kept going, he kept pushing on, he kept doing what God had call him to be and do what God had called him to do.

What was it that enabled Paul to be as fearless as he was, what was it that caused him to set fear aside as he faithfully executed his personal part of the Great Commission? 

In verse seven of the same chapter, we find a big part of the answer.

Paul said that “God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of sound mind.”

he was able to walk into the enemy's territory on a regular basis with boldness and in many cases having no idea exactly how it would transpire and what it may mean to his life and health.

It was the Holy Spirit that granted Paul peace to never be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus Christ, no matter what, the personal cost to himself.

Paul had no question of whom he believed in, he trusted in Christ and in his love and grace even when the last breath was exhaled.

He wasn't ashamed of what he was called to do, he was not ashamed of who he was, he was not ashamed to share the truth even in very hostile times, and in very hostile environments.

He lives his life trusting in God and believing in the Lord's guidance and love.

Paul knew full well that the day would come when God's plan for his life would conclude.

All the day drew nearer and Paul began to I feel get that sixth sense of time closing in he penned these letters to Timothy and also to Titus in the dank dark dungeon in Rome.

it is then that Paul wrote some of his final correspondence.

2Timothy 4:1-8

Even though all Paul had endured he made sure that he had used much of his time in preparing others such as Timothy and Titus to carry on with the mission.

Verse 1:5 he encouraged Timothy to do just that, but he also gave sound advice of how to handle falsehoods and false prophets.

Paul then related in verse six and seven.

Again, he knew that his closing days were upon him.

He related that his martyrdom was impending.

Paul was satisfied that he had accomplished God's plan for him.

I have fought the good fight I have finished my course. I have kept the faith and he was relying on his knowledge or he ternal life and rewards of heaven to finish the race.

He died as he had lived, with grace, I believe be welcoming his martyrdom as a final act of never being fearful of being found “guilty by association” with Jesus Christ.

As the centuries rolled on a multitude of others followed in Paul and the apostles footsteps. Giving all, they had, sacrificing their lives as they stood their ground and not being fearful of being help and found guilty of being found guilty by association with Christ.

Justin Martyr, PolyCarb, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, Thomas Crammer, and Askew, Jon Huss, John Wycliff, Martin Luther, John Hooper, William Tynedale, John Rogers, John Bradford, Michael Servitus, Sarah Bassett to name just a few.

Men and women have no fear of being found “guilty by association” with the truth Jesus Christ.

As time continued the 20th century was the bloodiest ever seen for those associated with Jesus Christ.

Most of those who pay the price of martyrdom did so under the isms of this world. Communism, fascism, socialism, and Marxism.

These social trainwrecks always have had the Christian faith and Christianity in their sights, because it is, it is now, and it will always be a threat to the power elite.

Why? Because Christianity and Christians for the most part haven't bowed a need to their oppressive governments, to bend a knee before our God and to his law.

A few of the worst offenders against faith, to those who were and are not feared to be built to bear the accusations of being found guilty by association with Christ.

In the 21st century that's accordingly to the group Christianity Today.

Everyday 13 Christians are martyred everyday 12 Christian churches are attacked everyday 12 Christians are unjustly arrested or imprisoned every day five Christians are abducted.

North Korea is ranked number one in Christian persecution

Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Maratha, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, India

The nations where Christians face the most violence for being “guilty by association” are:

Pakistan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon, Central African Republic, India, Mali, South Sudan and Ethiopia

The places where churches were attacked the most are: China, Nigeria, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia

Christian persecution is alive and well as believers around the globe refused to bend the knee to being found guilty by association.

As we drew clear, ever closer to the closing of the church age I have no doubt persecution will only increase and within the tribulation getting closer every day. That time will make the worldwide historical persecution of Christians seem like child's play.

I hope that if the time ever comes for you and me before the rapture that we will not be fearful of being found guilty by association. What lies ahead, my friends is known only unto God. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I know who holds it. If it brings life, may we do all we can to reach out to the lost in the end church. If it brings death, may we accept it in grace in honor even if we plead guilty of being guilty by association with Jesus of Nazareth the son of God.