They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time will come that any who kills you will think that he is doing a service to God. -- John 16:2, RLIV.
THE persecutions of today are more refined than in any previous period. The faithful today are not stoned with literal stones or shot with literal arrows or literally beheaded, but it is still true that the wicked shoot out arrows at the righteous, "even bitter words," and many because of faithfulness are reproved and slandered and cut off from fellowship -- "beheaded for the testimony of Jesus." Let all such emulate Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Let their testimonies be given with radiant faces like his. Let their eyes of faith perceive Jesus at the right hand of the Majesty on High as their Advocate and Deliverer. Let their words be with moderation as were Stephen's, and let it be true of them, as written of him, "full of grace and power" and "filled with the Holy Spirit." -- Excerpt adapted from "The First Christian Martyr", ZWT February 15, 1897.
<><><><><>
In the past, often Christians have suffered persecution at the hand of others who also professed to be Christian. Many times such persecution was more than words, for they have turned to violence, and sometimes even arrests and deaths of Christians who did not believe as did what is being nominally taught as being "Christian". Many professed "Christians" have tortured and/or murdered many "heathens" in the name of Christ. In some cases, however, some claiming to be Christian have provoked and invited sectarian persecution. We doubt that in many such cases that those being persecuted were actually victims in the name of Jesus, but rather in the name of whatever sect or group the person was associated with. Nevertheless, it is still true today that many Christians are persecuted by other Christians over doctrine, nationality, politics and many other things. This should not be although we do not expect that such will end until Jesus causes the present heavens and earth to be fully passed away.
Today, there are reports from many parts of the world of Christians being beaten, tortured and killed in various countries. Open Doors’ World Watch List reports that "312m Christians face very high or extreme levels" of persecution or discrimination. In some cases, we suspect the persecution may be more political than religious. It is difficult to determine from many of the reports how many are actually be persecuted for doing works in the name of Jesus. We suspect that many who are caught up in such persecutions may not be truly consecrated Christians, but rather "nominal" Christians who wish to promote their own particular brand of sectarianism.
Our real concern is the persecution of consecrated Christians who actually stand up for Biblical truths about Jesus. If we come under persecution, we should ask: Am I being persecuted for preaching Christ or for preaching doctrines of a sect, denomination, organization, or movement, that is dedicated to a man, or a group of men, etc.? We should make sure that if we are persecuted, that it really is for the cause of Christ, and not because we have been promoting some sectarian organization, political party, etc.
Nevertheless, all who truly consecrate themselves to Christ should expect some persecution, some discrimination, in some way, whether it be only verbal or whether it be physical. When being persecuted, the Christian is called upon to be long-suffering in such circumstances. Regardless, our prayers should go forth for all being persecuted as well as for those who are doing the persecution. Jesus will eventually step in to bring all such persecutions to an end.
Ronald R. Day, Sr. (ResLight)
No comments:
Post a Comment