<p><em>2 Timothy 3:12</em> speaks of the reality of a Christian who is striving to live godly in <em>Christ Jesus</em>: they suffer persecution. The Apostle <em>Paul</em> wrote this letter to his disciple <em>Timothy</em> to strengthen him in his faith and to warn him of the difficulties he would face in his ministry.</p>
<p><strong>What does it mean to live godly?</strong></p>
<p>Living godly in Christ Jesus means that as Christians we follow God&rsquo;s commands and strive to apply them in our daily lives. We strive to live a life of obedience and be a faithful witness to our faith. It also means having a personal relationship with God, praying, and studying the Bible to grow in our knowledge of Him.</p>
<p><strong>Why are we persecuted?</strong></p>
<p>Jesus Himself said in <em>John 15:20, &ldquo;If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.&rdquo;</em> In other words, the reason we suffer persecution is because we are followers <em>of Christ</em> and want to live according to His will. The world does not always accept or understand our beliefs and faith-based decisions, so conflicts and uncomfortable situations may arise.</p>