Persecution
All throughout history Christians have been mocked, threatened, or persecuted because of their beliefs. Noah was laughed at for building a big boat, John the baptist was thrown in prison and beheaded, Stephen was stoned to death, and many more suffered deeply for their religious convictions.
Today we don’t have to worry about being “stoned to death” or “executed”; however, being a Christian isn’t exactly society’s definition of being “popular and cool”. No doubt you have been made fun of in school because of it, and maybe even by your friends too. Please read through Acts 5:17-42 (with particular emphasis on verses 40-42), and see how the apostles reacted when they were rebuked and flogged by the Sanhedrin (the elders of Israel) for their beliefs.
Now that you’ve read that, let’s look at those last two verses again:
The Apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
– Acts 5:40-42
Isn’t that inspiring?! I pray that we all will have that kind of convinction; so that even if we are beaten and reproached, we will rejoice for being found worthy to suffer for Jesus.
If you ever do find yourself feeling discouraged, try reading this verse:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
– Spoken by Jesus, in Matthew 5:10-12
God knows what you’re going through (He did, after all, suffer humiliation and death on a cross for YOU!). Remember that you are on the right path, and that with His help, you can help others come to know the love of Jesus too.
October 25th, 2006 at 9:20 am
I don’t work for them, but one of the missions that I support and really admire is GFA (http://www.gfa.org) and on their news stories page they have a lot of really great and inspiring reports from the field. It’s one of the places I go when I want a spiritual “pick-me-up” – I’m encouraged by the reports of missionaries who are daily facing persecution to spread the Gospel, and to by how God so often moves so clearly in the lives of the missionaries and those that are reached by them.
If not GFA, then I would strongly suggest finding another site (VotM for example) and regularly reading and praying for them – it’s a blessing to them and it’s a HUGE blessing and encouragement to you.