Persecution

[Vic]

Several years ago I wrote an article called Persecution Free Christianity > http://www.seekgod.ca/persecution.htm

It was in response to many leaders making statements they weren't going to allow such and such to happen to Christians.

The reality is, Jesus said

Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

And Paul wrote: 2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

And Peter: 1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

So do you think we as Christians suffer persecution now? are going to suffer persecution?

Are any exempt from being persecuted if they serve Christ?

Can anyone prohibit or intervene in some way to prevent persecution from happening to Christians? Meaning, can someone say that Christians were never intended to be persecuted and provide a Biblical proof?

Can children who love Jesus be persecuted as well as adults?

[YYZ Skinhead]

Since God said that believers will be persecuted, it will happen and has happened because Satan is the god of this world and he wants to destroy as many people's faith in Christ as he can. Pharisees (the Religious Right of their day), crucifixion-happy Romans, the Catholic Church and its Inquisitions, Nazis, Communists, radical Islamists, the contemporary Religious Right who cannot keep their politics out of their religion and vice versa, "evangelical" atheists who try to eradicate all public references to God, et al ad nauseam.

Children who believe are persecuted in public schools for saying they love Jesus. (Millstones, anyone?) When I get slammed on internet forums for my belief in God, sometimes I have to remind myself that being persecuted means I am doing something right. That can be hard to do.

[heb13-13]

(01-03-2011 01:30 PM)Vic Wrote:  So do you think we as Christians suffer persecution now? are going to suffer persecution?

Are any exempt from being persecuted if they serve Christ?

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Persecution takes on many forms. The Key is are we living Godly in Christ Jesus. Do that and you will suffer persecution according to God's Word.

Does not mean you will be locked up in jail and be tortured, necessarily.

Could mean anything related to being hated, ostracized, mocked for your love and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

All that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL, SHALL, SHALL, suffer persecution. This is a definitive sentence.

It is not for us to define what constitutes persecution in another person's life. It can be very subtle, also. It often comes from your own "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ.