Beyond Persecution
In my Heartlight.org post this week, Behind Enemy Lines, I share some challenging statistic about persecution against Christians world-wide. I also challenge us to think through what our response should be in an increasingly hostile world. There are several questions on which I would love your feedback:
Did you realize persecution against believers in Jesus is this widespread in the world today?
What are some other ways we can help those who are persecuted in the name of Jesus today?
Have you been persecuted because of your faith? (We’d love to pray for you and hear your story!)
If Christians or missionaries need help in Lao PDR, do let me know as I have good relationship with political leaders and government officials there. I travel to Vientiane fairly regularly.
David Tan
David Tan
8 Sep 08 at 11:13 am
Phil,
Your article had much truth in it. I have been very aware for quite some time of the persecution of Christians in our world. Maybe I am more interested – living in an area of the country where atheism is quite frequent I have worked for many years with people who were atheistic or agnostic. God has been VERY important to the quality of my life (I do not come from a Christian family) and I have been very open about faith and God\’s ways.
Several people have changed their attitude about God – several of them turning to look to Him for answers. But it has been my experience that when you are open about God people are intimidated. They have two choices – turn to Him or reject Him. That means they reject the messenger, too.
I can\’t even begin to compare the persecution I have suffered with those of our brothers and sisters in other countries. Mine has been limited to loss of positions (in the workplace), false rumors spread (because people seem to have to \"cover\" themselves by making a Christian look bad) and \"friends\" turning their backs.
But I am a sensitive person – with a tumultous childhood rejection is extremely hard for me – and it makes it hard to trust people again. That trust is imperative in winning souls for Christ. I can\’t even imagine what our brothers and sisters go through knowing their life is on the line.
My favorite story is one told by our missionary to India – a brother there gave his house to the church for meeting (as property cannot belong to the church). He moved his family to the yard so the church would have a place to meet. The good news is, later brothers & sisters gave enough to build extra footage so they could move back in. But what sacrifice!
I don\’t believe that Christians who are brave enough to speak out against the sins of society are to blame for the hatred in the media. If we look to Jesus, the \"religious\" of His day had disagreements – and He chasitised them for following \"man\’s way\" instead of \"God\’s Way.\"
Even Paul said \"In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God\’s approval.\"
It is Satan who sows the seeds of hate. We must stand for truth, and when we do, Satan will make sure the world hates us. As Jesus said,
\"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.\"
Linda Hoeck
10 Sep 08 at 9:36 am