The history of the Christian movement demonstrates that the intensity of persecution is geared not to the moral level of the non-Christians or persecutors but to the intensity of the witness of the Christian community.
The early believers were not persecuted because the Romans were such bad people. In fact, according to the world's standards, they were quite decent. The strong convictions of the believers might not have caused the Romans to persecute them, but there could have been no persecution without such a faith.
One wonders why Christians today (at least in America) get off so easily. Is it because unchristian Americans are that much better than unchristian Romans, or is our light so dim that the tormentor can't see it. What are the things we do that are worth persecuting?
Clarence Jordan
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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1 comments:
I'm not sure that not being persecuted is meaning that we are not doing enough, not giving the gospel. God protects as well and allows those to go under persecution whom He allows. Isn't this another burden to place on Christians? I think so. God calls each of us to different stages in life. We may be persecuted at some point, and if and when that time comes, God will give us grace. The ones who seem to persecute the most are other Christians toward those they disagree with. That to me is the worse kind, and until it is solved, I don't think we can expect God to take us much further.
However, I enjoy the fact that I am not persecuted. Those whom I share the gospel with have not done so. I pray for those who are persecuted, but I also enjoy where I am right now.
Since I believe in transparency, I will say fully, I do not want to be persecuted, I do not want my family to be persecuted. But I also believe that God will give strength if that were to ever happen.
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