3:12 Anticipate Persecution Jesus warned his disciples, “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you” (John 15:20). Persecution is not contradictory to a godly life. Throughout his writings, Paul assures us that we should expect to face persecution on behalf of Jesus. Paul even quotes from Psalm 44, describing Christians as “being slaughtered like sheep” (Rom 8:36). When we face persecution, we follow in the footsteps of the Lamb of God.
3:16-17 The Crucible of Scripture The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). Why? The Word of Truth will cut out what doesn’t belong. God wants to rid believers of anything that doesn’t align with his will, and then he can use the Scriptures to “equip his people to do every good work” (2 Tim 3:17). And not just some of his people but every one of us!