36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Paul quoted Scripture in this verse to show that Christians will suffer in this life. The point of this quotation is to demonstrate that the extent of Christ’s love for us does not mean Christians will never face trouble in their lives.
36 As it is written:
This is a quotation from the Greek Old Testament of Psalm 44:22. Believers in the Old Testament, as well as those in the New Testament, suffered.
“For Your sake
The reason believers face persecution and trouble is for the sake of the Lord, who loves us so.
we are killed all day long;
Christians may face the possibility of death at any time. This is no imaginary possibility.
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Some Christians will face martyrdom like so many sheep marching off to slaughter.
PRINCIPLE:
There is real risk in living the Christian life in this world.
APPLICATION:
We cannot be tempted to think that because Christ loves us there will be no trouble for us in this life. There should be nothing strange or unexpected about suffering for the Lord. This world has been cursed by God. We should expect nothing less.
1 Pe 4:12, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
