Persecution: A program or campaign to subjugate or eliminate a specific group of people, often based on race, religion, sexuality, or social beliefs.
Forgive me, because I plan on ranting today.
I was reading online about a year ago, how in North Korea, 33 Christians were to be executed as enemies of the state. They had been planting underground churches (maybe 500) in one of the most repressive dictatorships in the world. They were involved in this knowing that death could be the end result. Yet, they went ahead following what God had called them to. Obedient to God, even if it means their deaths.
Kim-Jong un, the dictator of this country considers them a threat, punishable by death. I am going to assume these people have been even tortured for their faith. They live under a regime, knowing this, and yet continue to work for the Kingdom. They suffer for following God. I have not been able to find out if these people were executed as information from North Korea is sketchy at best. This is what persecution looks like.
"Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13.
We here in the United States don't have this kind of worry of being dragged out of our homes and executed for being Christians. We are not banned from attending church, nor are we mistreated by businesses and people for our faith (not saying there are random situations, but overall we don't live in fear) We are not tortured and forced to recant our faith in God. We do not have special ID's or identification and kept in a registry to be identified as believers. All in all, I think we have it pretty easy here in the United States to practice our faith.
If you listen to people around here, though, we here are suffering terrible persecutions. Our rights as Christians are being violated daily by our government. A recent convention played a film called "Persecuted" about the plight of American Christians. It gets high points from me for its comedic value, though I am not sure that it was meant to be a comedy.
The reasons we are being persecuted I have learned in the past year are the following: People wishing us "Happy Holidays" and not "Merry Christmas", not being allowed to refuse service to people whose lifestyles we don't agree with, Starbucks selling coffee in red cups and not with the snowflakes and reindeer they had last year, when people disagree that the United States is not a "Christian" nation (it is not), and corporations not being allowed to impose their religious beliefs. That's just a small sample of the persecutions I see on my news feeds.
It makes me shake my head. Luckily, I don't know that many people who believe that we are being persecuted because of the above reasons. Maybe, I am just seeing the extremists on my news feed. I agree with Jesus that the world does hate us. But, here in America, it doesn't seem because we are Christians but rather that we can be jerks to other people. That's why the animosity. For the most part, we are not being persecuted here. Persecution is not this: not getting your way all the time or forcing your beliefs on another. This country has a freedom of religion - the government cannot force a religion on you. You are free to practice your religion, but I am also free of you imposing your beliefs on me.
To be fair, people also should not be fined for their religious beliefs. Let the market take care of that. But, my thought is - where is the love and outreach? Jesus did not shun those ostracized by society. He didn't shove his beliefs down people's throats - or chase after people and hammer them if they walked away. Jesus never shied from the truth and speaking truth to others. Yet, it was with a love and grace for others that maybe we haven't come close to matching.
Non-Christians out there know about our Jesus. They have read our bibles and understand what Jesus stood for. They see how we are acting and see the difference. I have been convicted a lot over the years by non-believers. They notice when I am not walking the walk. I've been called on it.
Think of the complaints people have towards Christians. It's never about what we believe. Its usually how we are different the God we profess to follow. We can be very judgmental towards each other or other faiths. Or, boast of our Christianity like it is something we have accomplished. Cherry picking verses of the bible we want to judge others with and ignoring others because it is inconvenient to our lifestyle. Why should others feel welcome to coming to church when they see our actions? Sometimes, they see us being like the world - not a safe haven for those who are broken and hurting.
Why do I say this? I have been guilty of this as well. Conforming the bible to my lifestyle rather than opening myself and changing because of the truths spoken there. Feeling uncomfortable among people who are not like me. Especially, if they don't believe or belong to a different faith. Maybe it is easier for me to remain in my comfort zone rather than go out and risk. love and serving others does not always equate to condoning what people are doing that we may not agree with. What better testimony than to love those around us and showing God's love rather than withholding it. Who are we to say that we are better than others?
This is not to badmouth all Christians. I know lots of loving Christians who reach out to their community. They don't look at all our "differences" - they see people as God sees them. People in need of a loving God. To see God in action through them. We are not perfect, we will make mistakes. People will see that, but it is how we respond to that. Maybe it just seems worse because all the crazy "Christians" are shown off in the media or work in politics.
I just worry as I see people nowadays filled with bitterness towards others. People who call themselves "Christians" but label other groups with a broad brush. Terrorists, thugs, and deviants are terms I have heard people judging groups of people. That makes me sad.
We need to speak up against that kind of behavior. I have heard politicians calling for special ID's for a particular religion and immigrants. Why? That's persecution. Why are we cool with that? I hope that we are not. Is it easier to shake a fist at others rather than extending a hand of friendship? We need to be people who share the love and grace and mercy of Jesus with others. We are to speak truth, yes, but look at how Jesus did it. We need to place the focus on God. Our job is not to convert others. We may be the people to introduce God to other people, but it is God doing the work. He allows us to be a part of the process. But, it is not on us. Thank goodness for that. If it relied on me - then I would fail miserably.
Our jobs are to tell our stories. Reveal what God did in our lives. Let them know that we are not perfect, no one is. But, God took this miserable sinner and brought him to this point in life. If not for the grace of God, where would I be? Let's reach out to others and love them like God does. Keep in mind - Jesus dies for us while we were His enemies and being sinners. He loves all the people (don't equate that with loving what they do).
That's our call. It's not going to be easy. The world will resist. The enemy doesn't want it. But, let's not search for persecution that doesn't exist. Persecution is not people disagreeing with us. That is going to happen if we follow God. We still need to love them.
Jesus says "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Wow. That's heady and difficult stuff. It's something I know I need to improve upon.
End of rant.
Forgive me, because I plan on ranting today.
I was reading online about a year ago, how in North Korea, 33 Christians were to be executed as enemies of the state. They had been planting underground churches (maybe 500) in one of the most repressive dictatorships in the world. They were involved in this knowing that death could be the end result. Yet, they went ahead following what God had called them to. Obedient to God, even if it means their deaths.
Kim-Jong un, the dictator of this country considers them a threat, punishable by death. I am going to assume these people have been even tortured for their faith. They live under a regime, knowing this, and yet continue to work for the Kingdom. They suffer for following God. I have not been able to find out if these people were executed as information from North Korea is sketchy at best. This is what persecution looks like.
"Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13.
We here in the United States don't have this kind of worry of being dragged out of our homes and executed for being Christians. We are not banned from attending church, nor are we mistreated by businesses and people for our faith (not saying there are random situations, but overall we don't live in fear) We are not tortured and forced to recant our faith in God. We do not have special ID's or identification and kept in a registry to be identified as believers. All in all, I think we have it pretty easy here in the United States to practice our faith.
If you listen to people around here, though, we here are suffering terrible persecutions. Our rights as Christians are being violated daily by our government. A recent convention played a film called "Persecuted" about the plight of American Christians. It gets high points from me for its comedic value, though I am not sure that it was meant to be a comedy.
The reasons we are being persecuted I have learned in the past year are the following: People wishing us "Happy Holidays" and not "Merry Christmas", not being allowed to refuse service to people whose lifestyles we don't agree with, Starbucks selling coffee in red cups and not with the snowflakes and reindeer they had last year, when people disagree that the United States is not a "Christian" nation (it is not), and corporations not being allowed to impose their religious beliefs. That's just a small sample of the persecutions I see on my news feeds.
It makes me shake my head. Luckily, I don't know that many people who believe that we are being persecuted because of the above reasons. Maybe, I am just seeing the extremists on my news feed. I agree with Jesus that the world does hate us. But, here in America, it doesn't seem because we are Christians but rather that we can be jerks to other people. That's why the animosity. For the most part, we are not being persecuted here. Persecution is not this: not getting your way all the time or forcing your beliefs on another. This country has a freedom of religion - the government cannot force a religion on you. You are free to practice your religion, but I am also free of you imposing your beliefs on me.
To be fair, people also should not be fined for their religious beliefs. Let the market take care of that. But, my thought is - where is the love and outreach? Jesus did not shun those ostracized by society. He didn't shove his beliefs down people's throats - or chase after people and hammer them if they walked away. Jesus never shied from the truth and speaking truth to others. Yet, it was with a love and grace for others that maybe we haven't come close to matching.
Non-Christians out there know about our Jesus. They have read our bibles and understand what Jesus stood for. They see how we are acting and see the difference. I have been convicted a lot over the years by non-believers. They notice when I am not walking the walk. I've been called on it.
Think of the complaints people have towards Christians. It's never about what we believe. Its usually how we are different the God we profess to follow. We can be very judgmental towards each other or other faiths. Or, boast of our Christianity like it is something we have accomplished. Cherry picking verses of the bible we want to judge others with and ignoring others because it is inconvenient to our lifestyle. Why should others feel welcome to coming to church when they see our actions? Sometimes, they see us being like the world - not a safe haven for those who are broken and hurting.
Why do I say this? I have been guilty of this as well. Conforming the bible to my lifestyle rather than opening myself and changing because of the truths spoken there. Feeling uncomfortable among people who are not like me. Especially, if they don't believe or belong to a different faith. Maybe it is easier for me to remain in my comfort zone rather than go out and risk. love and serving others does not always equate to condoning what people are doing that we may not agree with. What better testimony than to love those around us and showing God's love rather than withholding it. Who are we to say that we are better than others?
This is not to badmouth all Christians. I know lots of loving Christians who reach out to their community. They don't look at all our "differences" - they see people as God sees them. People in need of a loving God. To see God in action through them. We are not perfect, we will make mistakes. People will see that, but it is how we respond to that. Maybe it just seems worse because all the crazy "Christians" are shown off in the media or work in politics.
I just worry as I see people nowadays filled with bitterness towards others. People who call themselves "Christians" but label other groups with a broad brush. Terrorists, thugs, and deviants are terms I have heard people judging groups of people. That makes me sad.
We need to speak up against that kind of behavior. I have heard politicians calling for special ID's for a particular religion and immigrants. Why? That's persecution. Why are we cool with that? I hope that we are not. Is it easier to shake a fist at others rather than extending a hand of friendship? We need to be people who share the love and grace and mercy of Jesus with others. We are to speak truth, yes, but look at how Jesus did it. We need to place the focus on God. Our job is not to convert others. We may be the people to introduce God to other people, but it is God doing the work. He allows us to be a part of the process. But, it is not on us. Thank goodness for that. If it relied on me - then I would fail miserably.
Our jobs are to tell our stories. Reveal what God did in our lives. Let them know that we are not perfect, no one is. But, God took this miserable sinner and brought him to this point in life. If not for the grace of God, where would I be? Let's reach out to others and love them like God does. Keep in mind - Jesus dies for us while we were His enemies and being sinners. He loves all the people (don't equate that with loving what they do).
That's our call. It's not going to be easy. The world will resist. The enemy doesn't want it. But, let's not search for persecution that doesn't exist. Persecution is not people disagreeing with us. That is going to happen if we follow God. We still need to love them.
Jesus says "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Wow. That's heady and difficult stuff. It's something I know I need to improve upon.
End of rant.
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