Suffering Persecution
We in the United States do not think about being persecuted for being a Christian. In most of the rest of the world suffering is part of becoming a Christian. Many times the family of the new convert will disown him or her. Often, the friends will make fun of them, or they will lost their jobs. In some cases it even means death. However, it is all worth it to come to know the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ.
Do you see that in America? Is that the reality of how Christians feel here in the USA? Is it assumed that becoming a Christian will bring suffering? I don't think so. However, the Bible says, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (II Timothy 3:12) Therefore, I have to make this observation. The reason we do not suffer persecution in the USA is that most believers do not desire to live godly in Christ Jesus. Their lives are not much different from the unbelievers around them. That is a serious indictment towards Christians here in America. How can we carry out the Great Commission without people seeing a difference in us? The suffering would actually help us show that difference to the world, if we would just live godly in Christ Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 20-21 and II Timothy 4.
Do you see that in America? Is that the reality of how Christians feel here in the USA? Is it assumed that becoming a Christian will bring suffering? I don't think so. However, the Bible says, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (II Timothy 3:12) Therefore, I have to make this observation. The reason we do not suffer persecution in the USA is that most believers do not desire to live godly in Christ Jesus. Their lives are not much different from the unbelievers around them. That is a serious indictment towards Christians here in America. How can we carry out the Great Commission without people seeing a difference in us? The suffering would actually help us show that difference to the world, if we would just live godly in Christ Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 20-21 and II Timothy 4.