In the face of persecution

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“And then, dear brothers, you suffered what the churches in Judea did, persecution from your own countrymen, just as they suffered from their own people, the Jews. After they had killed their own prophets, they even executed the Lord Jesus; and now they have brutally persecuted us and driven us out. They are against both God and man, trying to keep us from preaching to the Gentiles for fear some might be saved: and so their sins continue to grow. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.” 1 Thessalonians 2v14-16 (TLB)

From the above text, we learn a few things. One, persecution has always been in the church. In today’s world, we see it taking various forms, including the targeting and killing of Christians, the vilifying of the Christian faith and beliefs, the wariness against people who are Christians; sort of putting you on your toes. But it has always been and will continue to be. It is not because of the individual personally, but because of the Christ in us whom we serve. Indeed the devil would seek to persecute Christians as we see above to make sure that others do not get to know of the gospel and be converted and saved. Furthermore, persecution might also occur to discourage the believer and make them renounce their faith in Christ. In Luke 8 we are told of the parable of the sower, who went out to sow seeds. The seed being the Word of God. Some of the seed fell upon the rock or stony ground, and v13 (TLB) says “The stony ground represents those who enjoy listening to sermons, but somehow the message never really gets through to them and doesn’t take root and grow. They know the message is true, and sort of believe for a while; but when the hot winds of persecution blow, they lose interest.” May we not lose interest in the Lord in Jesus name, amen. Let’s bear in mind the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:

Supplementary Text

“If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you. Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours. But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.” John 15v18-21 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, we bless Your holy name, Lord Jesus, we thank You for being counted worthy to bear Your name. We ask for grace to endure in the face of persecution. We pray too for believers all over the world who are heavily afflicted and persecuted for Your name’s sake. Please grant them the grace to endure in Jesus name, amen.