Jesus said many would be called, but few would be chosen.
Are you implying that martyrdom and persecution should not happen to a Christian because Jesus said nothing will harm us? On the basis of luke 10:19 do we throw away the fact that disciples were martyrs, and mounds of scriptures that say that believers would be persecuted, reviled, jailed, murdered (or slain), and tortured for the Word of God and their testimony?
It's a bit more complicated than that. Understanding how things work, and spiritual laws help us avoid lot's of issues that should be avoided.
If Jesus said nothing by any means will hurt you and you have authority over the spirits causing the hurt, then that is exactly what He meant as we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but the principalities behind it.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
(Luk 10:19-20)
So we don't have mounds of scriptures promising that we will be horrible killed off and go through horrible things. We have people focusing on those, and not taking into account what the other scriptures say. It does not take much faith to believe you will be persecuted and killed, but it does take faith, and no fear to lay hold onto "
Nothing by any means shall hurt you." We can see folks look at the path of least resistance.
If anyone knew about being persecuted, then Paul would be our best teacher. He suffered things at his own hand, like ending up in the Roman prison, and he suffered because of preaching the Word. He suffered both cases of his fault, and for the Word.
Paul said this though.
And that
we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But
the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
(2Th 3:2-3)
Paul said no matter who comes after you, God is faithful to deliver you, and keep you from Evil. Same things Jesus said. Paul said this by the Word of God, but He also lived this out a whole lot of times.
What about the persecutions, and bad things?
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
(Joh 16:33)
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
(Mar 4:17)
Two different persecutions here. One for taking the gospel out to the Word. One for trying to believe the scripture about something, like getting bills paid, healing, whatever. Both persecutions come from the enemy. If your going to stand in faith on scripture for something the devil has introduced into your life, there will be a fight sometimes called the good fight of faith, resisting the devil, submitting to God, being steadfast in faith. Other times, someone may just want to kill you while your talking about Jesus, Jesus tends to upset some folks.
the other persecution Peter talks about, things that our fault. Like texting and driving and ending up hitting a tree. We can't say that is persecution for being a Christian, even if we were typing scriptures to the forum here while driving.
For preaching the Word's sake:
2Ti 4:6 For
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
(Joh 10:17-18)
Our body is not our own, it was bought and paid for with a price. Nothing Earthly can just come and kill us, because it does not belong to us, or anyone here, or any devil. Our bodies belong to God, and we are suppose to be stewards of our temple, walk in faith, and most important, love and obedience. If we get off God's path, get in the devils territory, then things at times end short for you.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and
ye are not your own?
(1Co 6:19)
Why we are protected?
It goes back to your post, doing the will of God, walking in Love, and in faith. We are protected to complete the plan of the Lord for his purpose. Paul saw that, Jesus knew that, and we should know this. Each disciple completed everything God called them to do and nobody died early before they finished their race. Paul also talks about running your course, and you can't do that if you end up dead early.
Heb_11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and
others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Many are called, few are chosen
Long enough, Jesus was not talking about the same thing as in Matt. He is talking about being fit for being called. Read the whole chapter. Remember the guy that wanted to bury his family member, and Jesus said your not fit looking back? He was called, just like the rich young ruler, but both walked away from the call and not chooen.
Mike.
