Why We Get Persecuted Pt2
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Monday 10th November 1997
5 more Biblical reasons why Christians get persecuted.....
6. Because of the clash between people who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit. (Galatians 4:29 NKJV) But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
7. Because the name of Jesus is offensive to many people. The Devil hates Jesus and those influenced by him will hate Christians as a direct result. (Matthew 10:22 NKJV) "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
8. Because the word of God arouses some to hostility. (Matthew 13:21 NKJV) "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
9. Because religious leaders are often threatened by the gospel. (Luke 11:46-49 NKJV) And He said, "Woe to you also, lawyers (experts in Jewish religion)!........ "Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,'
10. Because of the "offense of the cross". People with religious pride are take offense when they hear that their good works are quite insufficient to get them into Heaven but that they need the cross of Christ and His grace. (Galatians 5:11 NKJV) And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
The above five reason show that the cross of Jesus Christ is a threat to many people - it "stirs up the darkness" in human hearts. Those who live according to the flesh and take pride in "dead works" cannot serve a living God whose worship is according to the Spirit. If we live "according to the Spirit" we will be persecuted. In such cases we are not being persecuted because we are bad but because God has been gracious to us. In a sense persecution is like a searchlight picking out those who are "according to the promise". It is a "backhanded compliment" (but not to be sought!).
Prayer:
Lord have mercy on those who are being persecuted for their faith. Give them hope and strength and faith and enable them to stand. may they not be discouraged but rather have an overwhelming sense of Your Presence and Your grace. Amen.
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John Edmiston (johnedmiston@eternitymag.com)
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