Faith
Jesus spoke these words to the disciples, as written in the Bible in Matthew chapter 5, verses 11 and 12:
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who
were before you.
Those words ring as true to believers today as they did two thousand years ago when Jesus spoke them. Simply put, if you accept the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior and follow Him and His tenets, you may face persecution.I contend that there are three distinct levels of this persecution that a Christian may face in this life because of his or her
faith:
- Low Level: Mental and verbal persecution. You may be subject to ridicule by associates, friends and family because of your faith.
Co-workers may avoid you and purposefully exclude you from after work socializing. The telling of dirty jokes and the usage of vulgar language may
increase in your presence because it is known that you don't approve--offering an opportunity for others to "get under your skin" so to speak. Terms such as "Jesus Freak" and "Bible Thumper" may be used when others attempt to describe you. You may be subjected to a general mean-spiritedness
by the non-believers in your life. - Mid Level: Loss because of your faith. You may lose your job or be passed by for a promotion. If you are a business owner,
customers who are offended by your faith in Christ may take their business elsewhere. Friends, family, or even spouses may terminate their relationships with you because of their intolerance of your faith in the Lord Jesus. - High Level: Being beaten, maimed, or killed because of your faith. Need I say more, other than to quote Philippians
1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Unless you keep your lamp hidden under a bowl, chances are great that you have experienced at the very least a low level of persecution because of your faith in the Lord. This is not just empty rhetoric: you must press on undaunted despite that persecution. It is a near
certainty that you will be hated in some circles. We who believe are the light of the world and a shining city on a hill; shining the light of Christ's truth in a dark and fallen world. We are the light that "sweats" the father of lies who is Satan; in much the same way that a crime suspect would be sweated under the hot hanging ceiling light in a police
interrogation room. The very existence of our faith is mid-level persecution for Satan. Satan's high-level persecution awaits
him at the hands of Jesus.
If you have a spouse that shares your faith in the Lord you are indeed blessed. If most or all of your immediate family is saved again you are blessed. If your friends are on board with the Lord that is a big-time blessing. The more Christians that you have in your life the less persecution you will face. Still, it is incumbent upon you to step outside of your comfortable circles and safe bunkers in order to carry forth the Great Commission. When you step out and share your faith the likelihood that you'll face some type of persecution is great. But, the threat of potential persecution is no excuse for inaction. In these End Times there are a great many souls that can be won for the Lord if your public walk and talk is one of obedience to the word, authenticity, love,
and courage.
So, are you still afraid of a little persecution? The Holy Spirit will make you big enough to stand tall and not whither in the face of it. When the heat is on, be encouraged by the words of Jesus as written in the gospel of Matthew chapter 5, verse 10: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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