My view – Persecution of Christians
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today I want to write this blog with my view on the persecution of Christians. God really gave this subject on my heart as more and more we see how Christians are openly persecuted in all sorts of way.
Momentarily the most shocking way is by the terrorist organisation ISIS, that is openly targetting Christians in Iraq. They way they kill Christians by beheading them and killing babies! But also more and more we see that just being a Christian in our society is becoming more and more difficult. Just being open about the fact that you are a Christian can bring a lot of hostile reactions from others, while even Islamic terrorist groups don’t get that kind of treatment. Why? I firmly believe that because God is real and we have chosen to follow Him, they feel because of their sinful nature they feel threatened by our God!
What does the Bible say about persecution?
2 Timothy 3:12 says:
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
First of all God tells us that we should not fear persection, but that we need to know that persecution will come. Why this warning? To scare us? No, I believe it is to prepare us for it. Because we are living in this sinful world and more and more the devil will try and get us to reject our faith.
1 Peter 4:12-14 says:
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Also in Peter God lets us know that we never should be taken by suprise when suffering will come. In the midst of that suffering praise God and don’t let those circumstances dictate your happiness. Also God will bless all those that are persecuted and insulted in His name. We are not on this world for other people, but for our Lord!
These two parts of the Bible confirm that suffering is part of being a Christian. The devil hates everyone that decides to follow Christ and he will do anything to get us to reject our faith and to get us to reject Christ. But never let that happen as anyone that dies in Gods name will be rewarded in heaven. And I am not saying it is easy to give your life, but as we have seen with these beheadings by ISIS all those people did not reject Christ so they are a testimony that when in that situation is possible (very possible) to not give up your faith!
Don’t get discouraged by all the ways that we are being persecuted. Not only by ISIS but also by atheist and homoseksuals (those groups in particular) that will attack Christianity at every way they see possible. Even trying everywhere to marry (while this is Christian institute) with someone of the same sex is already a clear attack from them on Christian values. In the Netherlands they (on purpose) target Christian workers at City Hall when they want to marry. In my country you can choose your own person to do the wedding for you and in a lot of instances gays have deliberatilly chosen a Christian person, because they knew that he or she would reject. And we have laws here that if you reject to same-sex marriages then you have to leave that job.
Please put your trust and find peace in God especially in situation where you are being persecuted. God has not forgotten you and will give you the strength to endure that storm!
God bless you!
Faith Life 