Persecution

John 15:18-20  ¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

Today in the Middle-East, Christians are being arrested, and likely face sentences of death.  This may seem shocking to us in our western culture of "anything goes."  However, this is a more common situation than many of us realize.  Many in Africa, Asia, and the Middle-East are enduring a physical manifestation of hatred and attacks for their faith.  This should cause two reactions from us:  1. Support through prayer.  Too often do people think we ought to pray for our brothers' and sisters' hardships to disappear.  Instead we must pray for their strength to endure, a continuation of their faithfulness for which they will be richly rewarded.  2. An examination of our own lives is in order.  If our fellow family members in Christ are suffering for the truth, is it simply because of the difference in government and society, or a difference in message?  Let us not fail to continue to press onward here, for when is easy to speak the truth, it is also easy to forget to stay on our guard.  


Whether it is our brothers and sisters enduring hardship, or us, we must encourage one another.  This world is only a preface to what comes after.  Pain and suffering are temporary, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13). 

Blessings.