Growth Do we need persecution?

[ReginaForbes]

"Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn't seem to be any reason to leave. The door's wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it's too late." - "God's Not Dead"

I know in my own personal life, when I was going through some rough times, that is when my faith grew. On an individual level, yes- adversity breeds closeness to God. But what about on the whole? Is persecution the catalyst that causes our faith to spread like wildfire?

 

[reba]

One of the strongest churches is in China... so 'they' say

 

[Deborah13]

As far as faith goes in the individual I think that depends on the person. We see the apostles warning the people not to give up the faith because of persecution. So I think that is the real danger. If people are afraid they can become weak in faith, not always stronger. That is why it is so important to fellowship with other Christians and to edify each other. One of stronger faith encouraging those who are weaker.

One of things that persecution does is band the people together in a cause. People forget about denominational differences and other little things.
ie. same-sex marriage
When Christians are forced by the government to do things like print t-shirts for 'gay pride' the church will come together to fight these things.

 

[Malachi]

Is persecution the catalyst that causes our faith to spread like wildfire?

Acts 8:1-4
1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

I trust you see the connection between what is stated in verse 1 and its outcome in verse 4. Nobody wants to be persecuted, but because Satan, the religious world, and the secular world hate Christ and hate the Gospel there will be persecution. But that is only one side of the equation. Expect persecution from within your home, within your church and within Christianity when you stand up for the truth (Mt 24:9-12):
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

[Virtuous Woman]

Anytime someone gives up the ways of world and makes the decision to live a life for Christ s/he will have persecution. Jesus suffered many things while he walked this earth. We must expect that if the world rejected Jesus it will also reject us. Jesus said it best in John 15:20 (NIV) “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.”

As new creatures we are in the world but not of the world. The world does not know us; it does not get us. Why? Because we have been born again. We are the redeemed of the Lord.

Let’s encourage one another to take heart and not be weary during difficult times. But instead let us count it all joy, let us put on the whole humor of God, let us stand firm like the tree planted by the water.

I get joy just thinking about how I have the most awesome warrior on my side. No one can stand against him. I’m worry free. Even my problems can’t get me down. Why? Because my savior cares and he is more than able and willing to see about me. He works miracles. He even takes the situations that look like a loss and turn it into a miracle. With God we cannot help but win. You might be going through something, and the devil wants you to believe that God has failed you but keep the faith because God can see what you cannot see and it is all going to work out for your good in the end.

Until next time, don’t forget to watch and pray.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I dunno...I kind of thought that persecution was just kind of to be expected in a world in which the rules that govern most people are influenced by the evil one. Oh, and most worldly ideas about morality and such seem to be satanic in nature. Following Christ is rebellion against the surrounding culture, no matter the culture, so persecution logically follows. That and direct dark, satanic activity, but I don't know much about all that.

I think persecution to a point can help strengthen the faith of group and individuals, but...it can also weaken groups. PCUSA is, I think, a victim of internal persecution. Too many ultra liberal, affluent older white people running the show, and in the process ruining the denomination. And no, I don't just mean gay marriage...the downward spiral for PCUSA apparently began in the 60s or so, as evidenced in their ever declining membership.

 

[Nintentacle]

Tribulation and/or Persecution is a great thing.

Romans 5:1-5 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Wow with the topic of persecution I sure would have thought some one would have dug into the Fourth Chapter of Mark.

Satan has 5 tools or ways he can come at a believer to steal the word or your Faith and keep you in spiritual bondage or without results or as to keep you as a believer from growing in your Faith.

1.affliction
2. persecution
3. deceitfulness of riches
4. cares of the world
5. lust of other things

Persecution is Pressure through people. Satan uses people to bring or put pressure on you in ways to destroy your faith.

Now then if any spirit filled born again believer is not seeing any persecution in his or her life or does not see or feel satin coming at them with any pressure against you or what you are doing in the Lord, well I suggest that you examine your life and seriously spend some time before the Lord and find out why..........

It's not because you are strong in the Lord or anything at all like this...The truth is you are NO threat to him, the devil our enemy. I knew a very blessed and anointed man of God who received a new assignment from God. He began preparing for this and was not being bothered by the devil one bit.

So the man of God got before the LORD and began to seek Him why he was not facing anything or why the devil was not coming against him in this...
So God revealed to this man the following...

All the times you were bombarded by the enemy it was because he was afraid that you could do the task at hand and knew it was a threat to him....
This particular project I have given you is not bothering him (the devil) simply because He the devil does not believe you can pull it off. He does not believe you have enough faith to see it through.

So I say unto you.........if you are skating through life and satin is not bothering you..........brother....sister......... you need to change what you are doing....

OBTW persecution and all the other 5 above comes for the Word's Sake. Satan is not afraid of you but it is the Word he wants to stop or steal or is afraid of.......No word in you or little word....satan leaves you alone for the most part.......Might be cool for you but absolutely useless for GOD.

Just food for thought
Jim

 

[Cturtle]

We don't need it, but it's a good way to judge where your walk with the Lord is.

 

[4afaithfulone]

"Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn't seem to be any reason to leave. The door's wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it's too late." - "God's Not Dead"

I know in my own personal life, when I was going through some rough times, that is when my faith grew. On an individual level, yes- adversity breeds closeness to God. But what about on the whole? Is persecution the catalyst that causes our faith to spread like wildfire?

Paul's thorn in the flesh was given to him by God for buffeting(diamond in the ruff) by the devil. Paul had much change in his thinking from his old man (dead body)to be dealt with and he also dealt with pride since God was giving him such knowledge for raising tents(our spiritual bodies up).God did not want Paul to be destroyed by pride. But God uses the devil for God created him and he still belongs to God used for His purposes to keep us on our toes so that we grow strong in Christ and do not become lazy in our faith by not knowing the Word and end up being deceived into sinning through temptation. We are to rejoice in our trials that we can overcome and pass the test to a better us.

2 Cor 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
KJV