He actually scowled at me when I attempted to share the Gospel.She laughed and told me I was a fanatic – of all things!They don’t call me any more to join them since I became a born again believer. My own family is uncomfortable with me around.They call me names, mock me and reject me…. I hate being persecuted.Does this sound like anyone you know?
Paul reminded Timothy “…all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”II Tim. 3:12 In the days of the early church, the Apostles wouldn’t recognize what we call ‘persecution’ and in fact they would probably have welcomed it.They were persecuted mentally and physically for their faith to Christ…most even unto death. Jesus was also persecuted and rejected by his own… “He came to His own, and His own did not receive him.”John 1:11 (NKJV)
Our days of persecution, in the United States are for the most part feeble excuses to withdraw to a state of complacency.Sounds rather stuffy doesn’t it?I mean, what do I know of you and what you endure for Christ? Before you stop reading let me give you some incite into the direction I’m going.
The persecution of believers after the ascension of Christ and for generations after looked nothing like what was described in the first paragraph of this writing, yet, too many of us feel ‘persecuted’ when we are taken out of our comfort zone and into a place where people ridicule our beliefs.
Stephen was stoned for his faith, yet called out to God in his last breath to forgive his tormentors. (Acts 7:58-60)
James (Acts 12:1,2) the brother of John, was killed by King Herod’s (Agrippa I) sword.
Thomas was killed with a spear, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear."
It is believed that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome during the 60s at his own request because he didn’t feel he was worthy to die as his Savior had.
Matthew was killed with a spear, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60."
Jude was crucified, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72."
Though we don’t have detailed accounts of all of the suspected martyrs from first century times, we do have accounts of current martyrs.If you log on to www.opendoorsusa.org you will find out that 100 million Christians around the world are suffering persecution because of their devotion to Christ…and it isn’t by being heckled or pestered; but by the most serious of offenses.
I have to look in the mirror and ask myself “How strong would I be in the face of real persecution?”The Word says that when we live a life of godliness, we WILL be persecuted.That causes me to stop and ponder just how godly I am.Surely I haven’t been stricken down for my faith.
If everything goes well for long periods of time without difficulty or attack from Satan, then you may not be walking as you should.It is good to take a good look at ourselves on a regular basis.
God promises never to leave us.The Lord instructed Joshua to be strong and of good courage and his word is passed down to us to hold on and count on God to be there with us through all trials.Joshua was a great man of God but was instructed to be strong and courageous…why?Because of the persecution he would endure.When Paul wrote to Timothy, why do you think it was necessary for him to counsel him on persecution?Because hundreds of years after the Lord spoke to Joshua, the world had not changed, in that faithful believers would continue to be persecuted…and it is no different today – accept –
I don’t know of any one in my circles that has been incarcerated, beaten, separated from their loved ones or murdered for their faith in Christ.
I do know people like myself that have been rejected by family and friends, mocked and harassed with words – and we find it difficult to bear.BUT, I praise the Lord that I endure little for his names sake, I do – but it does make me wonder what I would do under real persecution.
I don’t like to be made fun of and I don’t like it when people consider me weak and foolish because of my love for Christ, but I have come to look at it this way – If I can only live a life honoring to the Lord, if people see me as peculiar and unlike the ‘norm’ of today’s society…if they see me as honest and separate from the cruelty and vulgarities of the world; if they see a peace in me then maybe they will ask questions…maybe they will desire to have what I have – maybe they will see Christ in me.
It is a privilege and honor to be a Christian.Sometimes it’s hard, but it always brings blessing.
Walking in Peace / division of C.O.P.E. Women's Ministries Sue Puff, author