#persecuted

From the beginning, the world has hated the light. Jesus Himself said it clearly: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” (John 15:18) Christians are not hated because they do evil, but because they remind the world of truth, love, purity, and repentance. Darkness always fights the light that exposes it. So, from the time of the Roman Empire to modern-day persecution in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, the pattern stays the same: When people love power, sin, and lies they attack those who belong to Jesus. What you see as people killing Christians is, underneath, Satan’s hatred of Christ working through human hearts. The devil knows he can’t destroy God, so he goes after those who belong to Him. That’s why Revelation calls Christians: “Those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)They die, but they don’t lose they win eternal life.

Why does God allow it? Because He never promised an easy path, He promised a crown. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) God doesn’t enjoy their suffering He transforms it into glory. Every soul who dies for Christ becomes part of the victory of love over evil.

The Persecuted but Unyielding

What is he being persecuted for?

Christians in Nigeria who are being persecuted by radicals still come together for service .

This is beautiful ❤️

If God claims to be working in this world, and promises to one day defeat evil and injustice, then why doesn’t He just do it already? What’s taking so long?

These are questions that no man can answer (other than Jesus, of course), but here’s some lessons that I think we can all take from this.

This past week has shown us how integral it is to keep a daily flow of the word of God into our lives. It’s by consuming and meditating on scripture that we are able to trust in His character and timing as our minds are renewed by the Holy Spirit.

By doing this, we become aware of the unseen, spiritual realities of this world, and how God is deeply grieved by its condition.

And if we can trust in this, than we can trust that God WILL do something about it. He will clear away all the sin and decay from His good world, and bring about a new age of peace, justice, and love throughout all the land. All we are called to do is wait, and carry out the commands of our master that’s been given to us in the Gospels.

The events of this past week can also cause us to have a greater yearning for the next life.

The evil and corruption of this world should only motivate us more to stay on the narrow path, with Jesus as our guide. It’s the sin that runs rampant in this world that should encourage us to stay holy, and to warn others of the coming judgement. What’s been happening this week should only add fuel to the fire within you started by the Holy Spirit. By drawing closer to the Lord in the times of calamity, you will be more motivated to share the good news of the Gospel to a world that desperately needs it.

Don’t let the temporary present cause you to lose sight of your eternal future. Dont let the shouts and taunts of sin and death make you forget that they’ve already been defeated by our savior on the cross.

Use the enemy’s darkness to draw you closer to the light of God. Use your sufferings to keep you on the narrow path, filled with Christ’s consolation and restoration.

When surrendered to the Holy Spirit, this past week can be used to drive us closer to the Father, and to encourage us to spread His word to a world that desperately needs to hear it. If the world has taken such drastic measures to silence us, then we must be doing something right.

Stay strong in the faith, don’t let the enemy steal your passion and devotion for Christ. What is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal.