The Discipleship Dare Day Nineteen - Persecution

Published by Angela | Filed under Discipleship Dare

Sometimes I think we American Christians are wimps.  We don’t really know what persecution is compared to the early Christians or those in third world countries. 

The type of persecution we undergo seems to be different than that of the early Christians. Theirs was outright pursuit to kill.  For us it seems unbelievers are trying to silence our voice.  Intimidation, ridicule, belittling, badgering, mocking are all part of the enemies strategy to negate our message or credibility. 

For years there has been a systematic belittling or discrediting of Christians by the movies and TV shows.  Christians are portrayed as hypocrites, ignorant, extremists and in the poorest light possible in the movies and TV shows.  It’s enough to make an unbeliever not want to identify with us.

Every incidence of extreme evangelicalism has been portrayed as the norm.  The abortion clinic bombers, killers of the abortion doctors or wild, off shoot groups are pictured as typical Christianity.  This is persecution in its most insidious form.  It discredits true disciples of Christ and undermines their message before anyone even hears the truth.

The normal disciple fears opening his mouth in public for fear that he will offend or get in trouble.  The words of some trusted evangelical public figures are twisted or edited to put them in the worst light.  Misunderstood by unbelievers who cannot understand Kingdom principles, we are persecuted and made fun of on a regular basis.

We are in good company though.  Jesus was ridiculed, mocked, spat upon, beaten, arrested and hung on a cross.  He was persecuted by the traditional religious leaders of his day.  He withstood much more than any of us have had to withstand.  If we are following Jesus we will be persecuted – that is a guarantee.  But Jesus promises a blessing for persevering in the midst of persecution.

Harassment, maltreatment, bullying, hounding, discrimination are all synonyms for persecution.  We are definitely being discriminated against.  Harassment by the liberals is constant.  Bullying by the constant bombardment of sensual enticement is grievous.  Persecution in the 21^st century may be different from the first century but it is persecution.

Persecution is a sign that our godly character is showing.  Bring it on!