Monday; March 15

What does it mean to be persecuted? The dictionary definition is “hostility or ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs”. As you might expect, I would like to focus on religious persecution. First of all, few of us in this country have felt – or will ever experience – true persecution. Sure, people might make fun of us because of our beliefs; but having our feelings hurt doesn’t amount to persecution. Secondly, have you ever considered the difference between feeling persecuted and being a Christian with being persecuted because we are Christians? Sure, like with anyone, Christians experience mistreatment; but how much of it is because we have taken a stand and how much is it just because we live in a mean world?
One final question to ask is are we persecuted because of our righteousness or does the pain come when we stray off the straight and narrow? The other day I came across on interesting passage about persecution, “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” (I Peter 2:20). The virtue in enduring persecution is only found we are unjustly treated – not when we receive what we have coming to us.
Let’s live lives that stand out because of our faith. When we do, we can expect people to take issue with us and they may even be mean to us. When this happens let’s remember that God will be with us and give us the strength we need to endure.

Think About It!

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