DEVOTION
ROMANS
ATTITUDE
Rom 12:14
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
NIV
Here is an attitude which I am not sure I have really ever had to deal with, but wait maybe not in the sense of persecution, but maybe in some other sense, I have. Sometimes I simply have to seek out the meaning of words in order for my mind to function or process information. I struggle with this persecution thing. Where am I persecuted? When I see the Greek word and understand it as a prolonged seeking after, or a prolonged causing of me to run away from someone or something I have to wonder if I truly have even been persecuted. Could there be a persecution by Satan upon me? That is to say, could he be involved in a prolonged campaign in an attempt to get me to run away from God? Am I persecuted with temptations? He is continually seeking after me in an attempt to cause me to turn from God. That is persecution in the finest and truest form. Sure I am not persecuted or punished by men at this point because I am a Christian. I know people talk about the persecution of the church in the past and even now in other parts of the world. I know that is one member of the church is persecuted we all are. But those are so far removed from me it is hard to consider I am involved. I know maybe I will be persecuted in the future here in this country, but again so far away it is hard to consider. But the here and now and the fact I am always faced with temptations which would involve turning my back on God. All sin does that, no matter how large or small, so in that sense Satan persecutes me, is persecuting me because I am a believer. He attempts to make my life difficult. He attempts to cause me to feel guilt and shame. He attempts to make me believe I have failed to live in an upright and righteous way. He tries to get be to doubt there is an eternity. Is this not persecution? I think so, yet my attitude should not be of hatred for him as if and when I receive this kind of treatment at the hands of men. My attitude toward all kinds of persecution should remain as Jesus. Forgive them Father.