Thread:Superdadsuper/@comment-25928375-20150705114448/@comment-5175866-20150705192356

In most every translation it implies that people will or shall be persecuted not "have to" be persecuted. The difference is, "having" to be persecuted means if you never get persecuted you won't be living a holy life. This is not true as to live a holy life you only need wisdom which holy/godly wisdom can only be obtained by the Holy Spirit.

When it says that you "will" or "shall" be persecuted makes much more sense. Persecution does not necessairly mean government enforcement but is rather hate or rebuke from anyone who does not believe in the Gospel. The dictionary definition says "hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs".There will always be those who don't believe even after miracles and there will be those who will persecute Christians for doing so. So the meaning of that is not "having" to be persecuted, but if you truly are trying to  obey Christ your works will reflect that. The truth is not something everyone will be happy about and so if you are working to honor Christ people will be angry and treat you differently because of it.