Have you ever encountered a situation in which you felt the stakes
were too high? Did you think it was better to step aside instead of
facing it head on? What if instead you did face it and what if it cost
you everything to do so? Would you be willing to step up?
One can never truly say until that very example comes upon them and
even then, legs do wobble and refuse to stand. However, there are those
few that do not hesitate and risk it all for the right cause. This is
what we are asked to do as Christians.
Today’s blog is looking at persecution in the world and on our
doorstep. First, what exactly does persecution mean? Under the
umbrella of hostility, we have many definitions of what qualifies as
persecution. It is the hostile environment or ill-treatment of others
based on race, politics or religious beliefs. It can be veiled as
oppression, victimization, abuse, discrimination and mistreatment
(Merriam-Webster). The focus today however, is persecution against the
Christian.
I wanted to understand the depth of this better, so I searched for
the most current watch list of where Christians are being persecuted
today. The top ten countries are North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia,
Sudan, Pakistan, Eritrea (bordered by Sudan), Libya, Iraq, Yemen and
Iran. What most of these countries have in common is that they are
under Islamic extremism.
Here are some alarming statistics to keep in mind. According to
Christianity Today (in the article “Where It’s Most Dangerous to Follow
Jesus” by Sarah Eekhoff-Zylstra 2018), 215 million Christians experience
persecution in which Christianity is outlawed or forbidden; thus,
punishable by the government. Out of the ten countries Pakistan has the
most violent history with church attacks, abductions and forced
marriages. Per Open Doors who provide the Watch List, this Islamic
extremism is the driving force of persecution in 35 out of the 50
countries on the list. Women are raped, sexually harassed, or forced
into marriage under threat of death due to their Christian faith.
It is not just Muslim countries but according to Open Doors, the next
forefront of future persecution is within Radical Hinduism and Indian
nationalism, which will increase the levels of instability that
Christians face.
It is a way of life for many countries and it is coming our way soon
enough. Once again according to Christianity Today (in the article
“Does the United States Belong on the Persecution List?” by Sarah
Eekhoff-Zylstra 2017) domestically, we face an increase of media attacks
and more of a legal challenge regarding our religious rights. However,
keep in mind that snowballs may start small, but they do tend to get
larger the faster they roll down the hill. An avalanche is coming to
our country. Right now, it comes to us in the form of lawsuits (such as
the baker charged for not making a wedding cake for a same-sex couple),
constant media attacks, and the implementation of new regulations such
as referendums for teaching LGBTQ history in our public schools or
complying to proposed/suggested bathroom alternatives for transgenders.
It can and will get worse as political parties have hidden agendas
thinly disguised to implement programs or laws with the said assumption
of being politically correct or maintaining set standards by being
innovative and progressive, so we can compete with other countries and
keep our status quo as a superpower.
We have already taken God out of the schools and our future is
threatened when someone can plot to take God out of the church by having
pastors/clergy submit their sermons for review. Regarding our
religious freedom, it is being pushed toward private expression per Jeff
King, the President of International Christian Concern (in the article
“Does the United States Belong on the Persecution List?” by Sarah
Eekhoff-Zylstra 2017). In short, we are falling apart, and I ask, what
are we to do, how are we to stand, and is there a remedy for all of
this?
Yes, is the answer I would like to address today. We have been
forewarned by Jesus in John 15:18 and 1 John 3:13, that we as
Christians, will suffer persecution because of hate.
“If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.”
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”
The apostles have warned us of this as well. In 1 Peter 4:12-14 we
learn this from Peter, but we also are given the answer as how to deal
with this hatred. We also see this warning in 2 Timothy 3:12.
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that,
when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the
spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you, on their part he is evil
spoken of, but on ye part he is glorified.”
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
How are we to combat hate? We love instead as Matthew 5:44 and
Romans 8:35 teach us. Not only love but give all the glory to God as 1
Peter 4:16 instructs us to do. Paul even tells us to rejoice during our
fiery trials in 2 Corinthians 12:10 and again Peter tells us in 1 Peter
3:17 it is more important to do God’s will then to fight evil with
evil. This gives us hope and strength to continue down the path of
righteousness.
“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword?”
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when
I am weak, then am I strong.”
“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil doing.”
Persecution is bound to stir up division, but instead of fighting, we need to seek ways to be unified; thus, cohesive.
We are commanded in 1 Corinthians 1:10 that there be no division
between Christians, we are instructed in Colossians 3:13-14 to be
forgiving of one another, we have the glue named Jesus Christ within us
to strengthen us per John 17:23 and Ephesians 4:13, and only then can we
recognize the blessing of unity in Psalm 133:1.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions
among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind
and in the same judgment.”
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one
another, if any man has a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave
you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is
the bond of perfectness.”
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made
perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
It is however, more than just unity. We need to also show compassion
to all regardless of the injustice done to us. We are called to be
compassionate in Ephesians 4:32, instructed how to be the salt of the
earth in Colossians 3:12-13, taught that we must bear one another in
Galatians 6:2, be peacemakers to our enemies in Romans 12:20, and as God
has been merciful to us, to show mercy to others in Lamentations
3:22-23.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any
man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do
ye.”
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink; for in doing so thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his
head.”
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not
consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness.”
We cannot and should not stop there. We need to now gather all our
courage and stand up for those in need of defense. This is the hardest
part, but it is also the most necessary. In the Bible we are reminded
multiple times of why we are to look after those less fortunate than us.
The Old Testament lends us wisdom in Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17 and
Proverbs 31:8-9 to show our purpose, our gifts are identified in order
to be used effectively in Galatians 5:22-25, the honor and blessing of
following this request is invoked in Psalm 1:1, the importance of
working together and standing up is pointed out in Romans 12:16 and
Ephesians 4:16, and ultimately that there are consequences when we fail
to follow this wisdom in Ecclesiastes 4:10. Again, in 1 Peter 3:8, the
necessity of compassion being shown to all is stressed.
“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.”
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all
such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge
righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,
against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified
the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let
us also walk in the Spirit.”
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the
counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth
in the seat of the scornful.”
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind
not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in
your own conceits.”
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
“For if they fall, the one will lift up his
fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not
another to help him up.”
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”
Our excuse not to act or stand up for others, may or may not surprise
you. Few like to get involved and more likely are prone to being
apathetic.
As I just mentioned there are consequences when we decide not to do
anything and let someone else either take the reins or the victim suffer
on his or her own.
God wants us to act and as Proverbs 17:5 points out, He will punish us for refusing to do so.
“Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker, and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”
We are forewarned about our desires to live for ourselves only in
Ephesians 4:19, to hear only what we want to hear in 2 Timothy 4:3-4,
reminded in James 4:17 our failure to do what we know is right is a sin,
our apathy for others can lead to our prayers not being heard in
Proverbs 21:13, and in 1 John 3:17-18, our insistence to not address or
meet the needs of others by either deed or action, thus, begs the
question if God even dwells within us.
“Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
“For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not
love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth.”
We all deserve to have a voice. We also deserve to know someone is
out there who cares for us and is willing to take a risk for us. We
have been called to this by God. We need to search for avenues to find
answers to these injustices. Most importantly, pray for the persecuted
and pray for their adversaries. Pray for comfort for the persecuted and
pray for mercy from those who wish to do harm to them. We have an open
line to call on God anytime and we must do so.
Samaritan’s Purse is one of the many ministries that have outreach
programs to other countries of which this problem is extremely high.
They focus on sharing the word and growing the church, by assisting the
refugees terrorized by ISIS, by training people to be missionaries and
help the church stand. We too can get involved as volunteers by being
advocates who raise awareness of this issue, we also can write letters
of encouragement to those being persecuted in the church, we can donate
financial resources, food and ministry materials; thus, making a dent in
this huge problem. When we seek to find a solution, opportunities will
arise. Other ministries to research and contact are Open Doors, Voice
of the Martyrs, Prison Alert, Barnabas Aid, I Commit to Pray and are
good places to start.
Are you up for the challenge? Do you see a light shining down and
encouraging you to step up and take a risk? I pray so. We need to look
out for one another and love the way Jesus taught us to. There will
never be a better example for us to follow than Him! Isn’t it worth
it? I believe it is. God bless.