Good morning. Of course we
don't want to suffer; but even if you should suffer for the sake of
righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not
be troubled. Of course that's not easy to do. Too many non-Christians try to
intimidate those who are Christians. Now intimidation should not change our
minds about what we believe, but it could very easily change what we say or how
we act among those who intimidate us. In their minds, they have won. In reality
they may have lost forever. So what should we do? Sanctify Christ as Lord in
your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to
give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
If Christ is our Lord, we should be saying and doing exactly what He wants. We
do not push our beliefs on others, but we are always ready to defend what we
believe. And if they are asking, we should be telling. Remember that their eternal destiny may depend on it.
And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered,
those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. No matter
what they say against us, our conscience should be clear. Father thank You that
the reader sanctifies Christ as Lord. He/she is always ready to make a defense
to everyone who asks him/her to give an account for the hope that is in him/her;
and he/she does so with gentleness and reverence.
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me
Good morning. Paul then gives a list of a lot of things that he has gone through as an apostle. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. There could be many people that you listen to either in church or through the Internet or other means; but there was only one person (as a general rule it was a person) that lead you to Christ. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. He was saying that just like a child imitates his or her father, they were to imitate him. He says that again seven chapters later. Since it is easy to forget some things about people we have not seen in a while, Paul says that he sent Timothy to them to remind them of his ways which are in Christ, just as he taught everywhere in every church. Some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. I shall find ou...
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