“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Why does living a Christ-like life make you an offense to the world? Think about it. If you are striving to enter in at the strait gate (Matthew 7:13); living a life that glorifies God in your body and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:20); and telling everyone that Christ is your Lord, Saviour, and King – our text verse says that you will suffer persecution. That’s the Word of God.

But why is this so? Let’s take a moment to examine this.

If Mickey Mouse was your god, that would be perfectly acceptable to the world. Aside from the novelty of such a thing, NO ONE would care. You could don your mouse-eared hat and burn incense to Mickey, and NO ONE would stop you. You could go on television and preach the good news of the Magic Kingdom, and NO ONE would get upset. You could put his picture on the courthouse lawn and tell everyone “Merry Mouse-mas,” and NO ONE would sue you (unless you profited from their trademark).

For the most part, you would have complete and unhindered liberty to worship Mickey Mouse as the god of your own choosing; with no fear of oppression, opposition, or persecution. Why? Because Mickey Mouse is not a threat. Mickey Mouse never told anyone that they were lost in their sins and trespasses. Mickey Mouse never called sinners to repentance. Mickey Mouse never told anyone that they would die in their sins unless they believed on him. Mickey Mouse never claimed to be God manifest in human flesh.

The Bible tells us that the saints are as a sweet savour, or smell of fragrant incense (2 Corinthians 2:15). To the believers we are a savour of life, as we are an encouragement to build them up, as we are a reminder of the Life of Christ in them. To the unbelievers we are a savour of death, as we are an ever-present reminder that they are dead in their sins and trespasses, which continue to work death in them (2 Corinthians 2:16). In both cases, it is the Life of Christ in us that is being witnessed to.

Child of God, are you being a witness of the Life of Christ? Are you showing the world that He is your Saviour, Lord, and King? If so, you are also being a witness of the death that the world lies in. Jesus tells us that we are not of the world, but have been chosen out of the world; therefore the world hates us, because it hates Him (John 15:18-19). The world loves Mickey Mouse; but he can’t save the world. The ultimate question then is: does the world love your Saviour? Does it love you?