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Suffering Persecution

Classik

Classik

Member
Many of us today deliberately run away from persecution or believe it is not their portion!! They even believe: once one is in Christ - he has nothing to worry about.


Christ made it clear to us that persecution shall come our way. Many of us think that once we reconcile with Christ all our challenges are destroyed. But they fail to notice that Christ himself suffered chains of agonies and awful persecution - and which led to His being crucified on the cross.

Luke 22:42 NKJV
...Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.
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Christ allowed it to happen - as it was the will of the Father.

Matthew 24:9
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
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Here comes my question:
* Shoud we allow persecution - as Christ told us we can't run away from it?
*Can we still resist it? Is it ok?
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I gave this illustration and people laughed. So what do you have to say about it? See the illustration below:

Three men went to evangelise the Word of God in a particular city. On their first day...the citizens asked them to leave - and drove them away. They ignored this and continued on the second day.they were rebuked the second time. They were asked not to preach Christ.
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It was a different issue on the third day:
Let's assume the individuals (preachers) are A, B and C.

On the third day A was caught and was mercilessly beaten up. B was also beaten up. C was watching this whole horror from a distance and knew it would be his turn soon.
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Should C run away and resist being persecuted or should C wait to be butchered too - in order to receive/suffer persecution?
 
That's a tough call for us. Even Jesus ran away from potential stoning a few times before giving in to his fate on the cross, did he not? Also, didn't Jesus tell his disciples to wipe the dust off their feet when they leave cities that rejected the gospel? So what is the right answer?
 
Thanks for your input. I have further questions.
I asked that question during a Sunday School class and everybody laughed and choroused: 'FLEE'
How about other cases that have nothing to do with physical attack? Some are even worse than being beaten.
WIP said:
That's a tough call for us. Even Jesus ran away from potential stoning a few times before giving in to his fate on the cross, did he not? Also, didn't Jesus tell his disciples to wipe the dust off their feet when they leave cities that rejected the gospel? So what is the right answer?
Click to expand...

This is a truly Interesting reply. However, I was thinking it wasn't His time yet.
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The question is: how long do we need to run?
The disciples kind of loved it when they ate a dish of blows.
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persecution mustn't come in that way (beating someone):
If my children reject me all because I carry the bible...this is persecution! In this case do I need to throw away the bible?
My parents have refused to raise me because they hate God, (E.g). I am persecuted. Should I quit?
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Maybe the question Should be: To what extent is persecution tolerable?
 
Paul used his rights as Roman citizen to avoid some persecution. I would think each situation in the country, state, or city, down to the person, could/would be different.

I doubt there is a one size fits all..... We Americans, as a group, dont see it coming and that is a shame..


In a very light sense my inlaws persecuted me. I held my ground then and believe still today taht was the correct response.
 
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.
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We are to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves. ;)

NASB (©1995) Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

There are many more verses that talk of persecution. While some will avoid it, and do, so many do so by refusing to proclaim Christ. I am reminded of the saying, "If you were brought before the courts being accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

I expect the attacks from the secular/humanist/pagan world. I am ashamed of my brethren who attack other Christians. I'm sure there is a pathology behind such actions. It could be guilt; a believer who is not a Christian certainly has pangs of guilt within caused by the Holy Spirit urging to follow Christ. (Just because you are forgiven doesn't mean you are a Christian.) Perhaps there are those who are so used to dealing with the world, they have become part of the world. Christ said we are in the world, but not to be of the world. If an outsider can sit and listen to how a (believer) person talks, acts, etc and can't see any difference from a pagan, then to me, that person (believer) is hiding so they aren't persecuted.

Others call admonishment from other Christians "persecution". No, that's the guilt again perhaps? Persecution is retribution for FOLLOWING Christ.

"I can do all things through Christ..." That is the level of handling persecution. If we study God's Word and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the eventually we will be "ready with an answer" to any persecution, whether it comes from other people who claim in words that they are believers, or from pagans.

I hope that I will remain faithful even unto death. Surely I will never renounce Christ, if that option is what is presented. I do think the coming World Government will be Islamism. They will, as prophecy says, present believers before the courts and if believers won't renounce faith in Christ they will be beheaded.

 
Gazelle said:

We are to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves. ;)

NASB (Â0„81995) Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

There are many more verses that talk of persecution. While some will avoid it, and do, so many do so by refusing to proclaim Christ. I am reminded of the saying, "If you were brought before the courts being accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

I expect the attacks from the secular/humanist/pagan world. I am ashamed of my brethren who attack other Christians. I'm sure there is a pathology behind such actions. It could be guilt; a believer who is not a Christian certainly has pangs of guilt within caused by the Holy Spirit urging to follow Christ. (Just because you are forgiven doesn't mean you are a Christian.) Perhaps there are those who are so used to dealing with the world, they have become part of the world. Christ said we are in the world, but not to be of the world. If an outsider can sit and listen to how a (believer) person talks, acts, etc and can't see any difference from a pagan, then to me, that person (believer) is hiding so they aren't persecuted.

Others call admonishment from other Christians "persecution". No, that's the guilt again perhaps? Persecution is retribution for FOLLOWING Christ.

"I can do all things through Christ..." That is the level of handling persecution. If we study God's Word and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the eventually we will be "ready with an answer" to any persecution, whether it comes from other people who claim in words that they are believers, or from pagans.

I hope that I will remain faithful even unto death. Surely I will never renounce Christ, if that option is what is presented. I do think the coming World Government will be Islamism. They will, as prophecy says, present believers before the courts and if believers won't renounce faith in Christ they will be beheaded.

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That is a very good one. We are useless without Christ.
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Persecution! :shocked It is everywhere! It is in the Church.
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A man watched his family buried alive by some soldiers. He was asked to renounce Christ. He Wouldn't. They buried the son.
At a point he had wanted to liberate the family by renouncing Christ. He was However strengthened by one of his very little kids' who said: 'Daddy, don't. It is our paradise today.'

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The wife also encouraged him never to hearken unto the Voice of man.
To cut it short the entire family was buried.
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God had opened the eyes of one of the soldiers who saw some angels of God coming down from heaven and attending to each of these People buried alive.
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This soldier gave his life to Christ after this incident.
What could have Happened if the family had renounced Christ! No wonder why we have the teaching by Christ:

Luke 15:4
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it?
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It is indeed frightening that Christianity can cost your life.
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A little boy of 6 (or thereabout) lost his life all because he refused to tear the picture of Jesus Christ (and that picture is not even the picture of Christ - no photography in Jesus' time).
In spite of it - he had refused to tear the picture. He Did not renounce Christ. He was willingn to go. Faith beyond measures!!! Unfathomable love.
What a love!
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some might not face this kind of Persecution - Persecution must come in whatever ways it Would...
 
We keep doing our best and God keeps guiding us.
I loved our closing hymn today. It was done on the key of G. I took it jazzy!!! :guitar :sing (good diminished chords, augmented, flatted fifth, 13th, 7th...) :D I love the hymn
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I love this hymn from the Sacred Songs solos SS&S
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1. Keep step with the Master, whatever betide;
Though dark be the pathway,
keep close to your Guide,
While foes are alluring, and danger is near,
When walking with Jesus,
you¡¯ve nothing to fear.

(Refrain.)
Keeping step go bravely forward,
And thy courage will renew;
Daily walk
with Christ your Savour, He will lead you all the journey through.

2. Keep step with the Master,
wherever you go;
Through darkness and shadow
the way He will show,
The light of His presence
your path will illume,
And make all the desert
a garden of bloom.

(Refrain.)

Keeping step
go bravely forward,
And thy courage will renew;
Daily walk
with Christ your Savour, He will lead you all the journey through.

3. Keep step with the Master,
nor halt by the way; Whate¡¯er He commands you,
oh, haste to obey!
Arise at His bidding,
press on in His might; While walking with Jesus,you¡¯re sure to be right.

(Refrain.)

Keeping step
go bravely forward,
And thy courage will renew;
Daily walk
with Christ your Savour,He will lead you all the journey through.
 
I'm lucky in this department. I live in the Southeastern US "Bible Belt," where Christianity (especially Southern Baptists and Pentecostals) reigns supreme. However, a lot of people claim Christ but don't put their faith into action. A lot of more educated, "tolerant" people can deal with a "Christian" who looks like them, talks like them, believes like them, but goes to church (preferably a gay-friendly one) occasionally. For me, what little persecution I've encountered comes from trying to "walk the walk." For instance, a gay acquaintance of mine converted to Catholicism. I thought this meant he had given up homosexuality. He said "no, I'll always be gay. See, in any denomination, there are lots of people who believe the core values, but don't follow all the rules." I was shocked. I told him I've been trying to maintain a celibate lifestyle, and he laughed; "why don't you just become a priest?," he asked. I pointed out a) I'm Calvinist and b) celibacy outside of marriage is for all believers, not just Catholic clergy. He still didn't get it.

My non-Christian friends don't get it, either, but they're usually not as harsh as that guy was, which I think is a sad statement on how modern churches (not just the Catholic Church) have lost the ability to disciple and disciple people.
 
Hold fast to your convictions of truth no matter what tries to come against you. When you know truth through the Spirit of God it is your responsibility to take Gods word out into the world with the Holy Spirit guiding you. Jesus said that if the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. Never worry about what man can do to you for the words sake, just be concerned you are doing the works for the Lord and not yourself so you will bring glory and honor unto His name. Jesus never said it would be an easy walk, but if we are truly walking in the Lord then we should take no concern for our own life as we have the promise of eternal life with the Father.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on Him, if ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples Indeed.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
John 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
John 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
 
for_his_glory said:
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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Fantastic!
The problem the world has is that we are so busy with personal stuff to agree with the truth in that. I love Paul
 
Why not go outside, alongside your fence and pray aloud to God? Or, open your window and pray loudly? Or go outside and strike up a conversation (don't discuss what they are doing etc, as in a complaint). If you stay on your property, and they on theirs, alls good. ;)

If they are loud enough to wake you (I know, you said the Holy Spirit is alerting you though) you can always file a noise complaint with the police. At least that will tip the police off--they may not realize a muslim family lives there yet. Or, just call and ask a car to come by, and talk to them about what is occurring...and hopefully the neighbor won't quit before the police get there. Maybe just the knowledge of you being aware will make them change up their actions???
 
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I wouldn't seek out persecution, but sometimes you can't flee. When I taught Christian school, we had small numbers of parents who hated us and ran regular slander campaigns against us. If they had put their children in public school, the teachers would have sued them.
 
Gazelle said:
Why not go outside, alongside your fence and pray aloud to God? Or, open your window and pray loudly? Or go outside and strike up a conversation (don't discuss what they are doing etc, as in a complaint). If you stay on your property, and they on theirs, alls good. ;)

If they are loud enough to wake you (I know, you said the Holy Spirit is alerting you though) you can always file a noise complaint with the police. At least that will tip the police off--they may not realize a muslim family lives there yet. Or, just call and ask a car to come by, and talk to them about what is occurring...and hopefully the neighbor won't quit before the police get there. Maybe just the knowledge of you being aware will make them change up their actions???
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They are motivated by the end time theology of Islam. That there mardi will conquor all. It is wickedness, and largely the church is asleep to the coming of these terrible days for the world. there is some indication from scripture that the Anti Christ will not be reveiled until "he that restrains is taken out of the way". My view of this passage of scripture is perhaps this refers to the church along with the holy spirit being taken up from the earth. then the Anti Christ will be reveiled.
One of the way the Lord has lead me is to rise early in prayer then go on a prayer walk in the Morning, that leads to the deconstructing of there spiritual structures and the prevailing of Gods purposes. After some time, as you obey his promptings, a strong sense of the purposes of God and a victorious mindset set in. We are more than Conquors........ no matter how many of them.
 
Yes, I do know of their antics and the why, but I was focussing upon what you could do about it. I don't think they would want you to know they are doing this, or they'd do it during the day. They want to be secretive and private...and your very being there...standing there watching or praying yourself.. would have quite an effect, imo.

I have a muslim neighbor, but across the street. One of the first things he did was remove not on the American flag, but the holder as well (good, I wouldn't want to see any other flag up lol) He parks in backwards and doesn't allow his children to play outside (but the sneak out when he washes the car each Saturday.)
 
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