PROOF: Persecution
As I continue to write the rough draft of CROSSROADS, the next Miller’s Creek novel, which tells the story of a woman who has walked away from her faith, my eyes quickly hone in on anything that deals with proof of why we believe in Christ. Here of late, there seems to be a rash of incidents that could only be described as persecution (some very subtle), which I see as further proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be–the Son of God sent by God the Father to save humanity from evil/sin.
Recent Examples of Persecution
A few weeks ago, a Christian athlete was told by the NFL to turn his Christian t-shirt wrong-side-out for a television interview.
On the way to my hometown to celebrate Thanksgiving with my Mom, sister, brother, and their families, I heard about a petition going around to remove the Duggar family from TLC.
In a separate incident during the Thanksgiving holidays, a morning TV host wished his guests a “Merry Christmas,” and was quickly corrected by one guest with the reply of “Happy Holidays.”
Around the world, Christian believers are persecuted in a myriad of ways–everything from being disowned by their families to unusually cruel (and often video-taped) death. Though believers in America aren’t persecuted to the point of death, I do believe our civil liberties are slowly, but surely, being stripped away.
In a list of free non-fiction books I received yesterday, there were a couple from LDS, several from New Age and Eastern religions, and even one on how to get started with Wicca, but not one about Christianity (though there were several free Christian non-fiction books available).
In one breath Christians are often accused of intolerance, but in the next breath denied the right to openly declare our faith. To me this begs the question: who is actually being intolerant?
Persecution Promised
In all truth, none of this should come as a surprise to believers. Jesus told us it would be this way.
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” John 15:18-25 (NASB)
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:21-23 (NASB)
Persecution as Proof
As mentioned above, because of persecution against Christians, I see all of it as the fulfillment of Jesus’ words and therefore proof that He is exactly who He claimed to be–the Son of God and God.
Since the subject-matter of this post leans toward the negative, I want to end on a positive note which will hopefully give my brothers and sisters in Christ encouragement. First off, we cannot take any sort of persecution personally. Why? Because it’s really aimed at the One we follow. In addition, we must also remember these words of Jesus, who told us what would come.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 (NASB)
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your words to Your disciples that also ring true around today’s world. May those who so quickly denounce You and Your followers also be quick to examine this evidence as proof that You are not only God’s Son, but God. Lord, we pray for souls to be turned back to You as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Help us to respond to persecution and hate with love and all that is good. May we follow Your example, who in Your final words pleaded forgiveness for those who mocked and crucified You. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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