1 Thessalonians 2:14 – You Suffered the Same Things

Throughout its history, Christianity has had a common affliction. This affliction occurs in those who reject the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  When the Gospel – the Word of God – is preached, people either accept it or reject it.  When they cover their ears and harden their hearts, Satan has a field day.  They become his playground, and useful idiots for his purpose, which is to discredit and destroy God.  Satan’s people then – through their own poor choice of turning away to the dark things of this world – often decide it makes good sense to persecute God’s elect with whom they disagree. Paul recounts this kind of situation in his first letter to the Thessalonian church.  He tells them in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 that what he had previously experienced was not wasted: But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God amid much conflict.