Persecution – What about it?
Sometimes if not most of the time, Christians are almost obsessed with using persecution as one of the foundations of Christianity; Christians are being persecuted by a verbal attack or, at worst, by physical harm. If we allow this enigma, it will control us and develop either fear that will lead to unstable faith, or we will end up losing the battle of the mind.
Embracing this fear means acknowledgment of defeat. Fear of persecution could cause someone’s faith to slip away. Fear can drive us out of our communion with believers, no matter how strong our faith is. When fear overshadows our strength, our maturity falls. Though Christianity is the largest among religions, it is not in any way free from discrimination. Some Preachers believe that Christians are being persecuted. They boldly express this message to their congregations.
This is not undoubtedly true. Religions in different denominations have been at war with each other for the longest time. For centuries our faith conflicts with other faith, and when conflict arises, it causes the loss of lives. Faith is not the cause, but it is about possession. Christian missionaries do their mission to spread the Word but are persecuted and killed.
Suffering for a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The gospel of Christ initially met with much opposition, and it was preached with contention, striving in preaching and against the opposition. But, Nevertheless, the gospel of Christ is designed to mortify corrupt affections so that men may be brought under the power of faith. This is the great motive for sincerity: to consider that God sees all we do, knows our thoughts afar off, and searches the heart. And it is from this God who tried our hearts that we must receive our reward.
Persecution -hostility, and ill-treatment, primarily because of race, or political or religious beliefs, will only lead to unstable living. It will bring nothing but feelings of survival. We should stay focused on the fact that God is good and treat everyone fairly when judgment day comes. “I will instruct you and teach you how you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. Still, whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33
Not Peace, but a Sword
“Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword, for I have set a man against his Father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his household. Whoever loves Father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:32-39
Are Christians suffering from persecution, or are we persecuting non-Christians? When we pray, ask for God’s wisdom, and we will never be wrong in making decisions and directions.