Accepting Persecution is Part of Christian Life
Satan is not called the god of this world for nothing because he controls the world system. When he caused Adam and Eve to sin, the whole world system fell into sin as Romans 5:12-15 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." Because the world system serves Satan knowingly or unknowingly as John 15:18-19 warns, " If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
Satan really hates any kind of authentic righteousness. He loves false righteousness but any righteousness springing out of the grace of God is abhorrent to him. The Roman Catholic canon law rejects the idea of good works springing from one's own justification. then that person must be condemned (Canon 24 and 32). For the world, doing of good works is what gets you into Heaven and not the result of a person who is already headed for Heaven. The Pharisees did their sham good works to be seen of men. Authentic good works are rejected by the world because they are not done in the spirit of the flesh but in the Spirit of God. Considering that the Christian is destined to do good works and will do good works, will continue to do good works and will inevitably persevere in good works even in the midst of their struggles against the flesh, it is a signal that such person is destined for persecution. Any authentic righteousness is based on the grace of God as Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." That doctrine is not of the world because unsaved people want to take credit for themselves as pride and self-centeredness is the norm in the fallen world.
If the Christian is going to preach the Gospel, it is in opposition with the world's way of thinking. Many sinners say that there is nothing wrong with them and think sin is not a serious issue. Other sinners are misled to believe that they can work for their own salvation without the righteousness of Christ. Many false converts today are people who want to be freed only from the penalty of sin but not sin itself or believe that a Christian can be perpetually barren. A Christian can get praise for good works but when they preach the Gospel - they must expect more rejection than acceptance. Many loved the miracles of Jesus but the moment He preached the Gospel - many had left Him because they were so offended by the truth about sin. If the prophets were so hated for preaching God's message then Christians should not expect to be accepted by most men. Only a few ill ever repent as Matthew 7:13-14 warns, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Matthew 5:11-14 says, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
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