Persecution of Christians
We can read daily, on the Internet, or in the newspapers, or hear it on the news, that Christians are being persecuted. We will be persecuted because we are to be separate from the world. The world doesn’t like us; they didn’t like the Lord. John 15:18-21 tells us that the world hates us because they hated him – they will persecute us because they persecuted him. John 16:1-4 tells us about persecution to come. It says there will come a time when the one that kills the Christian will think he is doing a service for God. That has to bring up a specific class of people to your mind!
People in power sometimes had rather have the praise of men, rather than obeying God. They will compromise, rather than standing up for what they know is right. We see it happening across our land today, when the Christians who take a stand against the government usually come away empty handed.We are slowly, but surely, losing our rights. Christ has been taken from the schools, prayer has been forbidden there. The Chaplains in the military have been forbidden to confess the name of Jesus within their prayers. And, some have stood up and been counted, and been rebuked by the military. Some may even lose their rank, or possibly be shut out of the service altogether. They are being persecuted because they dared do what they knew was right.
Scripture says He will send us out as sheep among the wolves. We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are not to worry about what we are to say, for the Lord will give you the words. It is HE who lives within you that speaks in you.
Matthew 5 tells us that those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake will be blessed. I know a person who is under persecution sometimes doesn’t feel blessed. But, Romans 8:35-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ – not even persecution! And, in all these things, we are ‘more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’
There are those Christians who will stand up against anything that is wrong. I saw this in the case of Judge Roy Moore here in Alabama. He never let up, although he lost the job he so loved as a Justice. He felt compelled to stand true to God, rather than man. After all, Paul said, in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” That doesn’t mean we break the laws, but, when it goes against the teaching of the Bible, then man is wrong. God’s Word is Truth.
Technorati Tags: Persecution Blog Carnival, Persecution, Christian
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
4 Comments:
I really understand what you are saying. But it really is hard when you have to face up to it. I live in India, and Christians have to face quite a bit of persecutions especially when it comes to the issue of conversions. As long as we don't talk about Jesus, we are fine... Ofcourse this is not the situation everywhere, just a few places. The worst thing, I think, is when we hear of Christians persecuting Christians (Persecution is not only physical .... it may be verbal or any other way), decause of Jealousy, envy, interpretation of the Bible, whatever...
Wendy, I can understand where you are coming from. I hadn't thought about how Christians can persecute other Christians with their actions or their mouths. That wasn't were I was coming from with the article -just that we definitely will face persecution because the scripture says we will. But, perhaps I should have addressed that also. Thanks for adding that in your comment.
Thank you both for your posts. You have given me much to think about and pray about. May God bless you both.
Andy
I was with you until you brought in Roy Moore. I see no command in scripture to put the Ten Commandments in secular places of authority. We have an obligation to obey the law when it does not involve a violation of a direct command of God. Removing a Ten Commandments display does not involve such an immoral act, and therefore elevating it to the level of renouncing the faith seems to me to minimize the real persecution the church has faced throughout history and around the world even today. That is not persecution. It is simply not wanting the secular government to be seen as endorsing controversial claims.
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