We Should Never Give Up In Freedom What They Would Never Give Up In Persecution

Here in America we don’t really know what persecution is like. We hear about it in other countries where people are persecuted for their faith but it’s not real to us. We don’t experience it on a day to day basis like some people in other countries do. We think that is a blessing. But what if it’s actually not?

Here in America as the statistics go there are a lot of “Christians”. You probably know lots of them. They show up to church on Sundays, sit in the pew, sing the songs, go out in life and try to be a good person leading a happy life. But what if we just have a lukewarm, watered down version of religion? Do we have so much freedom that we aren’t challenged? That we go through life lukewarm? That we don’t even really know what a real relationship with God is like?

Maybe that is what Satan wants. We in America as a whole are silenced. We don’t speak up for our faith, not like our brothers and sisters in other countries where there is persecution. Christianity in America doesn’t cause much of a stir. Why is that? Maybe because we aren’t living out real faith. What would happen if we started to live out real, true faith? Radical faith? What if persecution comes to America? What then? Will we stand up to our faith? Will we rejoice in the persecution because we know that in the suffering and trials the gospel word is being spread?

Like Paul said in the letter he wrote to the Philippians, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, so that the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly. To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will. These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

  Paul was put in prison for his faith, he went through persecution. His faith, was incredible. I wish I had that kind of faith. That is what I strive for. This is the faith I want. Even if it brings persecution. Even if it brings troubles, and danger. If it is spreading the gospel and glorifying my God in heaven then that is what I desire.

As I’ve been going through life these past few weeks in my studies, in conversations, in the stuff I’m reading the topic of persecution keeps coming up. I think God is trying to show me something. And I’m starting to get little bits and pieces of it. So I apologize if this is a little mixed up. It’s just a few thoughts I had today. The below quote is on my wall and something I try to remember daily. It’s a quote out of the book Insanity Of God from one of our fellow believers in another country witnessing and spreading the gospel under persecution. Think on that. ~Kriss

Never Give Up In Freedom What We Would Never Give Up In Persecution. ~Insanity of God