For much of the history of the Jesus movement followers of Christ have considered it normal to experience persecution.
Why shouldn’t we with statments in the scripture like this:
2Tim. 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus awill be persecuted.
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
We who live in the United States (I know there are a few of us who don’t live in the U.S.) have not had to deal with much by way of persecution. But as we noted last weekend the scriptures say that we are to be with those that do have to endure suffering in the name of Jesus.
Heb. 13:3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
So this week we pray.
We also remember this IS normal for Christ followers.
Here’s a cool quote a friend reminded me of this week:
‘ They love all men and they are persecuted by all. They are ignored and yet they are condemned. They are put to death and yet they are endued with life. . . . Dost thou not see men thrown to wild beasts so that they may deny the Lord and yet they are not overcome } Dost thou not see that the more of them are punished, just so many others abound ? These look not like the works of a man : they are the power of God : they are proofs of His presence.’ The letter to Diognetus, 105AD
Shalom upon all who suffer for THE NAME!
Ed
