This morning in Sunday School the topic of being persecuted for your belief in Jesus Christ came up. As we reflected upon Paul's life found in 2 Tim. 1 I began to wonder just how many Christians today are really being persecuted. After pondering over this thought a few moments I made the statement regarding today Western Culture Christianity and how if one is truly a Christians and makes any stand for Jesus and the Bible, persecution will come on that person. In other words we could say it like this...
Now we are not talking about a persecution that might lead to your death, or being driven out of your homes. Western Culture has taken persecution to a whole new level. human beings deepest need is relationships. The last thing anyone truly desires is to be cast out from your friends or family. But that very thing will happen the moment you take a firm stand for Jesus and the Bible. Don't believe me, just go into a crowd and loudly declare that Jesus Christ is the "only way to salvation," that "the Bible is without error" or just repeat what the Bible says clearly says about homosexuality or sex outside of marriage. Guess what? YOU WILL GET PERSECUTED in short order. People will spew hatred toward you, they may even try to physically try to silence you. Either way you will be persecuted.
So my question boils down to this...If you call yourself a "believer" a "Christian" a "follower of Jesus Christ" then when is the last time you've been persecuted. Has it EVER happened to you. If you answered never or not lately, then maybe you might want to check just how devoted you really are. In today's culture of acceptance you will quickly discover that almost anything is tolerated except an absolute belief in Jesus Christ. All Christians are called to be Jesus' witnesses in this world. That means we must speak up and boldly declare right from wrong according to God's Word! We must never be the judge, we are only the messengers. Have you been God's messenger lately? If you have been facing persecution for your faith, then your answer is probably yes. If there is no persecution in your life then your answer is no.
So what are you going to do about it? Will you be like the thousands or even millions that will crouch down in fear? Or, will you take a firm stand, built upon the foundation of Jesus?
"Have you been persecuted lately?"
So my question boils down to this...If you call yourself a "believer" a "Christian" a "follower of Jesus Christ" then when is the last time you've been persecuted. Has it EVER happened to you. If you answered never or not lately, then maybe you might want to check just how devoted you really are. In today's culture of acceptance you will quickly discover that almost anything is tolerated except an absolute belief in Jesus Christ. All Christians are called to be Jesus' witnesses in this world. That means we must speak up and boldly declare right from wrong according to God's Word! We must never be the judge, we are only the messengers. Have you been God's messenger lately? If you have been facing persecution for your faith, then your answer is probably yes. If there is no persecution in your life then your answer is no.
So what are you going to do about it? Will you be like the thousands or even millions that will crouch down in fear? Or, will you take a firm stand, built upon the foundation of Jesus?
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