“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
A small child begins his or her academic life by learning the basics of subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. But as the child grows older and progresses through each grade level, the lessons do not grow easier. Instead, they grow more challenging as the child builds upon the things that he or she has already learned. Such is (or should be) the case with our life in Christ as well.
Whenever we encounter trouble, abuse, or persecution for a decision to follow Christ, it may be easy to assume that we have done some something wrong. To be fair, some Christians are mistreated in this way because they fail to follow the directives given to us in 1 Peter 3:15-17. Then there are those who invite persecution by engaging others with the wrong motives. Finally, some who claim to be Christians may not have a relationship with Christ at all.
Nevertheless, 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that anyone who is serious about living the kind of life that honors Christ will encounter trouble. That trouble may take the form of direct persecution (as in those nations that are openly hostile to Christianity) or various forms of indirect opposition. As one commentator notes, “Given the right conditions, such oppositions would be just as deadly as the great Roman persecutions.” (1) Another source adds…
“Often new believers, and even older believers, interpret difficulty as a sign that they need to change something. Timothy reminded them that persecution is a normal experience for the Christian (cf. Matt. 5:11-12; 10:16-28; 20:22-23; 24:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:12; et al.), just as Paul had previously instructed them.” (2)
With these things in mind, we should note of Jesus’ counsel to those who seek to follow Him…
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” (Matthew 10:24-25).
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
(1) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 3”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/2-timothy-3.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.
(2) Constable, Thomas. DD. “Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2019 Edition” “Timothy’s visit 3:1-5” [3:3-5] https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/1thessalonians/1thessalonians.htm