By Pastor Bobby Blakey
Expect Persecution
Hindu Threat To Christians: Convert or Flee This headline in today’s newspaper caught my eye when I was at Starbucks this morning. In the country of India, the Hindu majority is persecuting Christians. The story told of one family who was forced to watch as their Bible and other items were burned in front of them. They were told to embrace Hinduism or their house would be demolished. They were threatened to be thrown out of the village or even killed.
As I flipped through the pages to read the rest of the story, I noticed another article about persecuting Christians. This was taking place in Iraq. Apparently, Christians there have been the target of suicide bombing and other forms of violence. 11 Christians have been killed in the last 10 days in the town of Mosul. Many of them are now scattering to villages north of the city.
Although I was surprised to read these stories at Starbucks this morning, we should not be surprised to hear of Christians being persecuted. In fact, we should expect it. Scripture is clear that this is what will happen to people who stand for Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12 - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
We need to make sure that we are not naïve, thinking that most Christians go through life without suffering. Persecution is normal. Throughout history and in many places in the world today, this is standard operating procedure for the church. In fact, this verse makes it clear that if we are living “a godly life in Christ’ we will be persecuted too!
Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
On the day that you and I face persecution, I hope we are expecting it. I hope we can see it coming and take heart. Let’s know that our Christian brothers and sisters throughout time and all over the planet have experienced this and it is an honor for us to be in their company. Let’s see past the present pain into our future reward. And let’s be ready to lose our home or life or whatever it may be…for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord!
Thanks for the somber reminder, Bobby - I’d read about the incidents in Mosul, but didn’t know about the specific threat in India (though I’d heard this was brewing a few months back). It is a reminder to us to be thankful that, for now at least, the only persecution we typically risk is becoming a social pariah… sadly, we still often find ourselves backing off in the face of that “threat”, when our brothers & sisters in Christ around the world are risking their very lives. May we be bold for Christ!
Too often you get people who think that being a Christian is an easy life - but in reality it’s anything but easy. Persecution only helps us grow stronger in our faith, knowing that even through the tough times, Christ will be there. Thanks for posting this.
Mhhmm! True Dat! Lets be ready for persecution knowing that it will further the cause of Christ and we will receive eternal blessings for it! Lets take it to our campuses this week, unashamed and gospel crazy, preaching the word and spreading the fire, expecting God to do great things and being ready to give whatever it takes, even our lives!
This is such a great blog! Thanks Pastor Bobby for that encouragement (=
Wow how encouraging yet sad to hear about those in India and Iraq are spreading the gospel! Great blog Bobby, it really put things into perspective that people everywhere are reacting to the urgency to spread the gospel and because of that have been persecuted. But now we should react by telling others and praying for those who are persecuted in other countrys.
I never really thought about other Christians in countries around the world. Proabably because I am so used to what goes on in Orange County. Great blog, definite eye opener!
Yeah, that’s sad to hear the persecution in those other countries too! Yeah, I agree with Spencer definitely an eye opener. Yeah we got to persevere in times like that, it’s going to bad for only a little while, but being with Heaven with God is much more worth it. Yeah I used that verse Matthew 5:11-12 verse last week for the campus lunch…good verse!
Thanks for the blog Pastor Bobby, I loved the Matt. 5:11-12 the last beatitude, its interesting it was the last one. Those who choose to live godly, to speak the truth of the gospel will face persecution. The rejoicing comes when you realize this is happening to you and your assurance that you are a child of the King! How wonderful is that when it speaks to you of your security in your salvation in Christ alone? Thanks for the blog! Great encourgment to persevere in the faith!
I like your encouragement for us to, “see past the present pain into our future reward”. If we think like Peter, who referred to his body as a tent he would soon put aside (2 Peter 1:13-14), whatever suffering we are facing or will face will be simply a temporary stepping stone into our permanent life with our permanent bodies.
Thanks for reminding me this morning to be aware of what our brothers and sisters are facing around the world and to pray for them (I find “Voice of the Martyrs” is great for knowing how to pray). It certainly puts things in perspective. Thank you!