Persecution
is not a new concept, nor is it one that can be ignored. The Christian news
media outlets are full of stories of persecution, killings, and other acts of
cruelty against Christians. Let me say from the outset I realize that
Persecution is happening around the world of different religious groups as
well.
Emperor
Nero of Roman blamed the believers of “The Way” those followers of Christ, as they
were known throughout the First Century A.D., their belief in the teaching of
Christ undermines the very fabric of the society. Throughout history Kings,
dictators, and even individuals have been involved in persecution. Yes, even
Christians themselves have been involved in some of the greatest persecution of
other believers, we can go back to the Spanish Inquisition, where the Catholic
Church persecuted those fellow believers that where not a part of the church as
they deemed it.
Persecution
can take on many forms; the simple definition in my mind is “simply stopping one from believing what
they believe, either by force or threat of force.” I remember back in 1974 while attending
McKinley Junior High School a teacher found some Gospel Tracts that fell out of
my pocket in class. I have never seen a
teacher so enraged by a simple piece of paper, he didn’t ask whose they were he
simply waved them around and said “Don’t bring this trash into my classroom,
and if you do I will have you kicked out of this school” I was 14 years
old. When I told my parents they told me
not to make waves and you better listen to him.
Honestly, I felt persecuted by the teacher and definitely felt threaten.
He would probably have totally freaked out if he knew I had a New Testament in
my back Blue Jean pocket every day. However, my parents expressed the belief of
many Christians of the time and even today, it not worth the fight, don’t make
waves, and don’t buck authority. Now look at the public schools, and colleges
Christians organization are banned from most campuses, teachers can’t even say they
are a Christian in fear of losing their job, and if they see a child with a
Bible they want him kicked out of school.
The
Apostle Paul dealt with persecution; just like the other disciples in fact all
of the original 11 (not including Judas who committed suicide) were persecuted.
Ten where killed, and one was boiled in oil then exiled to an island for
criminals. Persecution that the Apostles faced in the first century, and that
Christians face today is a result of a state of fear, from those that don’t
understand the believers in Christ. Atheistic countries like North Korea,
China, Russia, and Muslim nations that outlaw Christian expression do so out of
fear. Atheist would rather believe and
force others to believe there is No God, than have individuals have a choice to
expect or reject, just like Muslim nations they have come to the conclusion
that their belief system is right and the others are wrong. As I stated before
I know Christians have had their times of persecuting, and it was wrong then
and it is wrong now.
God is
righteous and just, he set his standard of values found within the Scripture
(Bible). People that struggle to live up to those standards will become enraged
when they are told they are wrong, or the statement that they are a sinner
comes up. Persecution isn’t limited to governments, individuals can persecute
as well by stopping people from practicing their faith. People have a right to
beliefs, and I should have the same right to stand up and say that is not a
Biblical view. It has become acceptable
to criticize or demean a believer in Christ for his believing in these biblical
principles, and stating them. To the point of destroying his career and his
family, this is persecution.
Ironically,
there is one interesting fact about persecution that folks often overlook …
When individuals and nations rise up to Persecute the church and God’s people
within in it, God shows HIM self-faithful, and lives are changed and hearts
touched, and revival sweeps the land.
You can tell Godly men NO, but Godly men will always worship HIM and
share their faith despite the persecution. Simply, take a look around. Look at events throughout the Middle East,
Africa, China, India, and yes even Russia where there are reports coming out
daily of believers being hunted, put in prison, and killed for their faith.
However, there are also reports that thousands of people trusting Christ around
the world despite the threat of death and prison.
More
than one individual has made a bold prediction that Christianity will come to
pass (end), stop existing and it will be proven that Jesus does not exist. Sorry to report that those skeptics and
persecutors are dead, and Christ is remained seated on the right hand of his Father
is heaven.
I
believe that America and the world are at the crossroads of history; the 21st
Century is not going to determine the future of Christianity. However, the 21st Century is going
to determine what it is going to look like around the world. There was a recent report that tens of thousands
of folks trusted Christ as savior in one night service in India, and
individuals in Africa are reporting the same results. Now individuals will question the accuracy of
those numbers. However, what we can’t deny is despite the persecution around
the world people still believe. The church
in America is caving to the persecution of the liberal beliefs, and pressures
from within to change it beliefs. However, we continue to see outpourings of
God greatest and lives changed through a belief in Christ.
My view of the reality of Christianity and Persecution is
simple …
Persecution
is coming to the world like we have never seen. However, at the same moment
Revival is coming to the world that will scare every atheist and non-believer
to their very core. Some Christian
believers will die; some will be injured, and some will be offended verbally.
However, be certain of one thing Persecution is not a new concept, and
throughout history God has always got the GLORY!
