A Layman's Study of Guilt and Persecution

We should all be armor bearers to God. We carry, within our hearts, the armor of God in the form of His word hidden in our hearts (memorizing scripture). Within our hearts we feel and we know what God desires of us. And we must ensure that whenever God looks to us that we are near to serve Him and protect him as an armor bearer would for his Lord.

Ephesians 3:13,20: Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.

God gives us trials to test us because overcoming them brings Glory to Him. If we lose heart, or lose faith, then we turn our back on God and show that we don't trust Him to bring us through that trail to glorify Him. We must remember that God can do so much more than we could ever hope to achieve ourselves. Having faith in God and keeping His word in our hearts allows God to work His will within us to His Glory! remember Abraham in Genesis 15:12, God knew that Abraham would never fulfill his part of the promises to God, but God walked the path alone to show us that He would keep his promise no matter our shortcomings.

Psalm 37:1-3:
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious of wrongdoers.
For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness

Trust in God because He knows you more intimately than anyone ever will, including yourself! If you walk a Godly path, and you know that God resides in your heart, then you can trust that He will steer you away from wrong. If your fellow man tells you that you are wrong -> listen to your heart for God will tell you if you are wrong (and how to fix it) or if you are wright. Those that are wrong will quickly leave when they realize that you are already filled with God and Scripture and are no longer an empty field where the seed of evil can take hold to grow. Remember the parable of the sower in Mark 4:3-8? The field always has some thorny grown, let this be where Evil and Sin lands in your life, where it cannot take root and grow; but is choked out by the righteous thorns that crowned His head!

Mathew 5:3-12: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven; Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted; Blessed are the gentle (humble, meek) for they shall inherit the Earth; Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied; Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy; Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God; Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God; Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; Blessed are you when people insult you or persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in Heaven is great for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed are the ones who suffer for God because they glorify Him by now bowing to the will of the world...but by submitting to His will only. Daniel 6:16-28 where Daniel survived the Lion's Den shows us that God favors those who do not bow to the will of the people; no matter how small or how right they think they are.

People do not know you, people will never know you as intimately as God. Regardless of your ideas and beliefs it is God's will that should guide your life and not that of a secular idea, guide, or mannerism. Always put God, and His laws, first - all else is pride and fall.

All scripture taken from the NASB Bible - all commentary is my own based on Bible study and Christian teachings.