As followers of Christ, we face persecutions and it differs how do we respond into it. It depends about the maturity process of a Christian,(is it a baby or a mature believer of Christ?). Some Christians respond with vengeance of those persecutions face. Mature believers of Christ understand and realize that persecution is a normal part of the maturing process for every Christian. As we follow Jesus we will experience pain, shame and even hardships in life. We must pray for those who persecute us and pray also that God will bless them. We should show a life that genuinely love them,show care to them, and forgive them. Christians must also wear the whole armor of God so that persecutions or testings comes their way they will know how to resist the enemy. Although, it is indeed a hard thing to do but we must ask the grace of God that we can obey His will and not our own will. When persecution comes from the government, Christians should know how to weigh things and how to stand in the midst of those persecution. Indeed, we are commanded to submit to the authorities but when we notice it that they will command us to deny our Christian faith; we need to stand our faith in Jesus even it cost us in misery. We should not fear those who kill our body but can't kill our soul. Yes, there are different forms of persecution in today's society. This include ethnic, social, political reasons and religious grounds of persecution. Others are being imprisoned, tortured, killed, threatened and discriminated because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Thank you ate Dori. It was very well explained. I've learned also of what you have publish for this blog. I agree of what you have said that Christians have different responds on persecution . That's why we need to be mature. As what you have said that being mature believers of Christ understand and realize that persecution is a normal part of the maturing process of a Christian. The best comfort that we can get is from the Word of God.
your right ate dor's Christian has its different responds that is as we as the ambassador of Christ we were to do encourage to one another as what the bible says and through the bible we may understand and know how to respond persecution and through these our maturity in Christian life grows.
You are absolutely correct ate doli, every people will really experience persecutions and not just Christians. I have realize it just now that not just Christians were being persecuted but other religions also. As a Christian we are expected to suffer and persecuted so we work hard to grown in Spirit and knowledge with our Lord Jesus, so that when persecutions come we are able to handle it with correctly and with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
I'd like your thought about how Christians respond to persecutions. In fact, it's very true to many believers nowadays. Some may give up because they cannot bear the sufferings they were enduring. Other reasons maybe, they were imparted a prosperity gospel to wherever church they were situated. A prosperity gospel which fosters or imparted only the good life of being a Christian, and not the reality that there will be a moment in our life that we'll face this kind of trial. I was being reminded when God said in His Word that we are hated by the world just as it hated Christ first. Indeed, those who are new in faith may not understand of the reason why we suffer such thing. Most likely, they were not being mentored with those matured already in faith especially about this matter. They were being unaware of what was happening in their life which may result to stumble and blaming game. I regard to, we must always remember that in the face of trials, persecution, or whatever there is, we must fight and ASK God's strength, love, and peace in order to endure it.
Indeed, we can benefit from the encouragement of one another, God's word, and the guidance of mentors as we face different kinds of oppositions as followers of Christ. May we all treasure these resources that the Lord made available for all of us.
I really appreciate on what the Christians did in the past. On how they respond to the persecution that came to their time. As what I have learned from the class that there are also Christians that had run away in the persecution. I stand on the verse that says to live is Christ and to die is gain. If i will put myself in the persecution, I would say that I will stand until my last breath. Of course we need also to pray to those who persecute us and bless them even they are being cruel. Actually the truth is easy to write to talk about this but it is difficult to do it. That is why we must have the courage to face this persecution. Everyday is a battle, if you learn how to fought with it you will not worry of what will happen in the future and we must also have this intimate relationship with God and it is really really important. What if persecution in the government. We all know that we need to submit to the authority. No objection for that but if this persecution is all about denying Jesus, I will stand to my faith no matter what and is not only me but all of us Christians must stand for our faith. Let us remember that we don't belong into this world. This not our home. Yes, there are different forms of persecution in today's society. Persecution in today's society are torturing, suffered from prison, beheaded, threatened and being persecute of their faith in Jesus Christ. It is really difficult when you are in the situation. But good thing is that we are already secured through the love of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit. There would be pain but it is only for temporary because in our home were Jesus right now, no more pain, no more persecution, and no more crying. This would give me comfort. -To live Christ and to die is gain
Amen Joy!Indeed it is hard to live without Christ in our life. All would be retaliation and would even resulted to rage and murder. The three heart habits (prayer,fellowship and reading God's word) is very important in our Christian life and we should never give up meeting together as part of the Body of Christ.
during the time of our Lord Jesus they faced persecution and through those persecution Jesus thought how would they respond through trials and persecution, Jesus said "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.Remember the word that I said to you:servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” in addition to that he said "pray for those who persecute you, bless those who persecute you" and indeed this things which Jesus teach is very hard to follow to us Christians because but this is what our savior taught to his followers and we also is his followers and we must think first that Jesus is the first whom persecuted before we, indeed he said "Bless and Pray" those who persecuting us Christians and as I find the meaning of this it is said bless is to speak well, this kind of blessing that Christians will take as a habit when facing persecution. Pray is an action which is said pray to God that God may forgive them and instead of hating them back in a form of harsh thing we will bless them through prayer. i know it is hard for us to do this things but as we practice it as our habit with a prayer, it can create good attitude to us like Jesus, Jesus is our only mirror when it comes of attitude, so attitude of blessing through prayer will be must practice to us Christians. In times of government there are also persecution that each person would face, but the bible says we must submit to the authority because they are the one who handles it but it doesn't say that we can't do nothing about it, there is a way how we can help our government it through and by prayer because this is our bullet to help them and also because through prayer we can stand what is right and what is wrong. in today's world when it comes of persecution are there is similarity but now it become more worst than before there are more of killings,beheaded,tortured and many more kinds of persecution that we hear and read in news, but these things are it said that the world will be more worst and cruel that is why we as Christians we know that this world will come to an end and the more we face this, but instead of become worry we will be watchful in praying that God will strengthen us when the times we face this things that we will stand by faith in the name of Jesus. "when the all married says till death do us part, for us Christians we will say, till death no one can separate me in Jesus, because death is my victory in him"
Amen pastor. Very biblical. Praying is good. It is our act that we trust God in our situation and acknowledge His power that we can do nothing without Him in our life. Yes, we must pray for those who persecute us because we do not know who are saved and who are not. We don't know that one of the persecutor is one of the chosen that is why we must act godly even in the times of persecution. Very prayerfully reply Pastor Jesster. God bless us Christians!!
Amen pastor. Very biblical. Praying is good. It is our act that we trust God in our situation and acknowledge His power that we can do nothing without Him in our life. Yes, we must pray for those who persecute us because we do not know who are saved and who are not. We don't know that one of the persecutor is one of the chosen that is why we must act godly even in the times of persecution. Very prayerfully reply Pastor Jesster. God bless us Christians!!
Thanks Jesster for a lengthy reply. And I also like that you used many Scripture passages. I would appreciate it if you could cite the references whenever you use Bible verses. Thanks.
It is costly to follow Christ. In life of a Christian here on earth has many struggles but the world cannot understand why Christians are still faithful in God even in the midst of life and death. Christians respond to the persecution differently. There are some Christian respond violently like. Christians must act godly even in the midst of persecution because if Christian will act violently the persecutor will be more anger and we will not good example to them and cannot win them through our lives if we act harshly. We must trust God and let His will be done in our life and trusting that He controls everything even our situation and He knows whats good for us. In our government, yes according to the Bible that we must submit to the government but if the thing that they want us to do is not good for us it can cause for our Christian life to be away from God, we must be firm in faith and be brave to fight for our faith. Keep the good fight of faith. There are many kinds of persecution in our society. Beheaded, put into prison, forsaken by love ones, being tortured physically and emotionally, and many more. It is hard to face this kinds of persecution because it cost pain and most of all it kills. For Christians, be still because what some other said that it is only temporary because we are all alien here on earth because our original home is in where the Father is. The place where is no pain, no sacrifice, no death and no persecution. We must be full of joy because even if we are still here on earth, we already knew where we go and we are safe. There is no safe place here on earth, only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
yes loy, I agree with you that the safest place here on earth is by putting our life in Jesus Christ by our faith because through this we can have the great joy and peace even we face persecution in our life.
Yes! I agreed with your statement Erick that you said that its costly to follow Christ and its true because before we chose to follow Christ is not that good that there will painful times and one of that is persecution. But let me add or clarify one thing but its my opinion. For me there is a lot of kind of believers there are believers who only know that they are believer of Christ in mind but not a faithful follower of Him that's why when persecution come they will act violently and harshly. But when a faithful follower of Christ will be persecuted they are so different from those who act violently because they know what is the right thing to do or what is the right action towards persecution. But over all you have a good point when persecution come in the life of every believer and I hope that when it happen to you or to me or any of us lets us act and respond it in a right way that shows that we are matured enough.
Your right kuya, following Christ is costly that is why a lot of christian too give up on their christian life or following Christ because they are bombarded with the trials. But we also knew that there is always hope in Jesus Christ. So, even in the midst of trials we need to know why we following Jesus so that we will not give up easily.
It is costly to follow Christ. In life of a Christian here on earth has many struggles but the world cannot understand why Christians are still faithful in God even in the midst of life and death. Christians respond to the persecution differently. There are some Christian respond violently like. Christians must act godly even in the midst of persecution because if Christian will act violently the persecutor will be more anger and we will not good example to them and cannot win them through our lives if we act harshly. We must trust God and let His will be done in our life and trusting that He controls everything even our situation and He knows whats good for us. In our government, yes according to the Bible that we must submit to the government but if the thing that they want us to do is not good for us it can cause for our Christian life to be away from God, we must be firm in faith and be brave to fight for our faith. Keep the good fight of faith. There are many kinds of persecution in our society. Beheaded, put into prison, forsaken by love ones, being tortured physically and emotionally, and many more. It is hard to face this kinds of persecution because it cost pain and most of all it kills. For Christians, be still because what some other said that it is only temporary because we are all alien here on earth because our original home is in where the Father is. The place where is no pain, no sacrifice, no death and no persecution. We must be full of joy because even if we are still here on earth, we already knew where we go and we are safe. There is no safe place here on earth, only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
As a follower of Christ persecutions always follow and it will always be present to every true Christian's lives. It would hit us in every directions of our lives, physical, spiritual, mental and social oppression from different people that surrounds us. Sometimes persecutions comes from our family, so it is not new to us if we are being oppressed by other people especially other religious groups, what's new is how we would respond to these persecutions. Every Christian responds to every persecution depending on how mature and deep rooted their faith to Christ is, but correct respond must be based on what the Scripture say. Christians must respond humbly, kindly, with firm belief to his faith and with prudence to the persecutions of other groups/ religions. We must show them that Christ is living in us by not responding rudely to them, and by respecting their beliefs. We have to show them the love of Christ that reflects to us. Godliness must still be seen in every actions and words we speak, and we must speak the truth, the truth which is what the bible is telling. Prayer and speaking blessing to them is also the biggest move that what we need to do for our persecutors, by it we are showing that we are different from them and it is because we have Christ in us. Persecutions from Government is a big problem for every Christians for we people belongs to the Government and we have to submit to their authority but submission doesn't mean we have to give up our faith because they said so or because of their persecutions. If the Government will persecute us we have to stand firm to our faith and belief even if it means death, for we know that things here on earth were just temporary and the true price is in Christ. So we don't have to be afraid if we are being oppressed by the government and do not let their threat overcome us. We submit to their authority but we must submit more to the authority of Christ. Since from the beginning there are various ways of persecutions God's people are facing, they are being oppressed verbally by being ridiculed and the worst of all is they were killed. That didn't changed until now because there are still beheading of Christians, they were being shot, they were put to prison and they were sometimes forced to turn back from the faith they have for Jesus. Christians are now facing difficulties so we must be zealous in spreading the Word of God and continually do the will of the Lord. We must not let persecutions hinder us from making disciples and scattering God's truth.
I like it when you said even if it means death. That's the virtue every believers should possess-COURAGE! Christians are often tempted to be led in apostate due to fear of enduring pain and trials, neglecting what our Fathers had done in the past. If only every Jesus' follower would ponder upon their (1st Christians) gruesome experiences, at least they would have the motivation to stand firm not just focusing in their present state but would look on eternity.
you have a point Kc, that as a believers we have to expect that we are the eye center of persecution, and i agree that persecution is not only physical but we will experience it hollistically, yeah i get your point that sometimes persecution happened in our family, i can relate because i experience the same, i like your work too, the kindly, humbly and with prudence i think that's the wonderful respond when persecutions strike.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10)."
Different beliefs, different values, and different practices.with all these differences, persecutions are inevitable, especially if the other groups or factions have the we-are-the-only-one-who-is-right mindset, which is a trend to every churches today. Some people says that when your faith is genuine, persecution will really come in the way. I believe that when a person says that he loves a God it was also an act of acceptance that he will also experience pain because of it. The difference is, despite of the pain brought by those who persecutes, the joy of having Christ will still prevail. But how should a christian must respond to it. Acts 7 narrated to us how the people persecuted Stephen because of Christ and instead of cursing them or giving them threats he fell on his knees and prayed for his persecutors. During Jesus Christ's death on the cross, He also prayed to God to forgive them for they do not know what they were doing. We have heard and read a lot of persecuted missionaries and most of them made us cry. we cry with the thought that most of them never raised a fist against their persecutor, they died willingly for Christ's name sake.
Christians who were experiencing persecutions must celebrate it. the respond must not be like how the persecutors did. Christians are to be bearers of peace despite of cruelty and darkness. Despite of all pain from those people who does not want to accept the truth, we must stand still and hold on to the faith. We are armies of Christ, and we've been fighting the battle of righteousness. an army of God must not hold back for our King is our refuge and strength in the middle of the battle ground.
There will be times that even the government will come into the way and try to stop us. as a christian we are commanded by God to obey the authorities. we must learn how to be prudent in choosing what to obey and what to go against. we must ask God for daily wisdom of determining what is the right thing to do and what are the things that we can't do for it will compromise our faith. We have to believe that no matter who is the one that is in the authority in our place or county, still God is the king of this City and that he is the one who has the highest authority.
persecution can come in different ways. it can be physical, social, emotional, cyber, and many more. thought despite of this world wide availability of ways in order to persecute a believer of Christ, still He is our healer, He is the one who will hold us together though the pressure of persecution is already breaking us. it may come in different ways but our God will still be with us all the way. the promise of God that He will never leave us and that he will be with till the end of the age is for keeps.
Hold on. keep fighting the battle of faith not with your own power but with the power of Christ that is in you. do not fear death for to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil.1:21).
Amen Sister! i can see that you really know your stand in Christ. and that is the very thing every Christian should have, the knowledge of who we are, what we are and what we will have in Christ. We, as lights, as ambassadors, as peace bearers, as armies, and as children of God, should flesh out what we really are. Let's show to the world what we've got because of Christ, even in persecutions.
Back when we were not yet Christians, most of us, persecuted those people who preached Jesus' name to us, we often called them different bad names; Now that we know and received Christ, we are experiencing what we do to them before. And that is common of a Christian in this society, though not that brutal like other countries. But we can say that we are persecuted. When we are attacked by those people who persecutes us because of our belief in Jesus, i must say that it is important to have this absolute foundation -the Word of God in dealing those trials, we should look how the people in the Bible faced their persecutions. When we are done looking the principles in the Bible about persecution, we can find patterns in dealing those: First is that, we must pray for those who persecute us, as well as our persecuted brethren. Because prayer is the best respond we can give. Another is that we should trust God in this situation, although we are startled or panicked by the pressures surrounds us, we have this assurance because we trusted God, we are calm and confident because we know God is Sovereign. Also, when we are persecuted, we get more intimate with the One, or the reason why we are persecuted- Christ. For me, these responses of persecutions is applicable for the persecutors -both religion and politics. But we still need to have prudence in dealing these persecutions especially from government, our actions must be of well-thought before we respond to persecutions. Yes, there are different forms of persecutions, and it varies to where you are now. Like for example the situation in Arab countries. It also differs to the persecutions in Western countries, and Asian countries. These forms are like, when you are a Christian and you are expelled in your family, who is devoted to their religion. Also, you are persecuted like Arab countries, you are killed because you're a Christian, and you are not allowed to preach the gospel, in Western, and in Asia, like China, made underground Churches due to a severe persecution. As we see the world today, it's getting wicked, but we Christians must show a different lifestyle. People will persecute us if they see that we are different to them, but the truth is, we are not different, they just don't know what God has commanded. We should be happy if we are persecuted, because they see us differently, and they don't like it. Let's continue to Give God Glory!
Pursue Christ likeness; Be ready for Persecutions!
Indeed, you are right Jonan. The Bible is the ultimate source of what a christian must do in any situation. The word of God and even Christ himself, showed us how we must deal with persecutions. Despite of all these instructions, many christians were persecuted not because of their beliefs but because of how they dealt with people who persecuted them. Some who died because of persecutions were not totally persecuted or if they were, they were killed because of imprudent and tactless way of dealing it. We must not just know what the Bible said but we must also know how to apply it correctly in our personal walk with God.we are called to follow Christ. to be the bearers of the kingdom. To imitate Him as he modeled to us how we should live our lives as the Father's child. persecutions must not stop us but it must spur us to be more closer to our God and have a progressive faith in Him.
Though I have not experienced not being in a Christian context when I was young, I believe that you are right Jonan. Even if we aren't talking about Christianity, when we do something to others in the past, sometime soon we would be experiencing them too. Pointing to the golden rule, let us just then continue to act as Christ did to those who persecuted him and we will be amazed at what our acts pf Christ-likeness can do to the people around us. Instead pf returning their kind of favor, show them Christ who is in you.
Christian believers know already that as I or We chose to follow Christ persecution will be there anywhere and anytime. We believers can't hide or ignore persecution because all of us who follow Christ will be persecuted by other people or groups or even by the government.And also we that following Christ is not happy life that we are always happy and there is no more sadness but the truth we are going to face trials and pain as we follow Christ and one of that is being persecuted by people or other religious groups. That's why in the Bible we are commanded by God to be always prepared of persecution because time will come that there will be someone will persecute us. Maybe one of that is our family we don't know who are those people but we can sure that those people who will persecute us is those people who are not yet saved. In Ephesians 6:11 we are told and commanded that we believers should always wear the full armor of God for us to stand firm when persecution come to destroy or to delude our mind that will cause to weaken our faith to God. When persecution comes in the life of every faithful believer of Christ we need first to strengthen our faith to God by reading and having a intimate relationship with Him and also as we read and meditate His word we are also to wear the full armor of God for us to stand firm. Again when persecution come let us not forget to pray for those people who persecute us because they don't know who are they persecuting and they are blinded with a lie. Instead of arguing them let us show mercy to them and pray for them secretly that they also may hear the good news about the gospel for them to be save. We allow people to persecute us or the other religious but we will never tolerate them we need to reach out them and educate them by the word of God in gentle way of doing it. But in terms of the government we are told to follow law because they the authorities but as a Christian we also need to weigh in what is good or bad it the government will told ask to deny our faith to God that is the time that we stand with our faith even if we are going to be killed by them. Yes! There are a lot of forms of persecution in our time today. Some of that is in verbal way like some of the Christian believer experience being persecuted in a way that they are bully by those people who came from other religious group. As what I experience I was also bulled by my friends before when they know that I'm a Christian maybe this kind of persecution is very common to our time today. But the same before there is also oppression towards Christian and there is killing, imprisonment, and also torture for every believers and ISIS group is the very know group who do that kind of persecution today. But We christian always remember what the Lord says in the book of Matthew 5:10 in the beatitude that " Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for their is the kingdom of heaven." this verse is very comforting for us as a Christian when we are persecuted in righteousness sake for we know that their is God who will defend for us and that the kingdom of heaven is waiting for us. I encourage all of us especially those who are already persecuted or in this time still persecuted by people stand firm and continue to follow Christ because after that persecution the kingdom of heaven is waiting for us to enter. I will leave you with these verse in Hebrew 13:5 it says "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Endure lan even in the midst of trials because God is faithful in His promises and keep on clinging to him. Indeed, we are blessed when persecution arise because that really shows that we are standing on the faith that we have in Jesus. Persecutions is the great opportunity to share the gospel to them because as what you have said they are blinded with the truth, nobody shares to them. And we Christian need to be strong knowing that our labor in the Lord is vain and we should not let persecutions hinders us from sharing the love of God.
Your observations and knowledge about the nature of persecutions are all nice Allan. Indeed, I like it. But I suggest that you try looking for more on other angles of your life where persecutions may attack. This may help you be aware of the devil's ways and respond to it easily. Thus I hope this would help you enjoy your life's persecutions in knowing and dealing with its different faces. And enjoy the process of His sanctification. God bless.
I was raised in a Christian family and my mother was once persecuted by some atheist who actually work in the government. it was because my mother didn't low the price of our "okay-okay" item and he said to my mother "Mao na ang teaching sa inyung ginoo? dili mo kahibaw mo patawad?" so my mother holding her anger to that person she silently walk inside and told my father to entertain the person. what i saw is this: Christian hold their anger to those who persecute to them and they prayed, i saw my mother cried because of that words. she prayed and prayed that God will give her more strength to stand of his faith. that person who persecuted my mother verbally he said that "sigi dili mo mag patawad ako ni ipasara inyu tindahan nag trabaho bya ko sa BIR pwedi ko kamo kasohan" so it was a threat to our family because Okay okay was only supporting our daily needs. But my mother stayed stronger, she put her faith in God and never lose hope. its only by God's grace she endured.
That's good of your mother jay. I hope that you too will stay the course till this life's fight is done. Furthermore, I like "ukay-ukay" and I want you to be like those "ukay-ukay" that whatever Ukays in your life may come, you would stay serving people like those clothes.
There are many groups existing today and all of us has many differences. The belief that we are standing for is so very different. but as Christian a follower of Christ, how can we respond persecutions from other group? In Matt.5:11 it says, "God blesses you when people mock and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers" As Christian we should expect that persecutions will really comes our way, we cannot shun from it, bu the promise of the God is always alive, continue in verse 12 but "be happy about it! be very glad! for a great reward awaits you in heaven" I believe that those trials, pain, problems make us strong and stand firm from any persecutions we face.
Not just from other groups, but also in our government today. Many Christian having a hard time to have a job or being questioned of their beliefs. but despite of that God never stop working in our lives, so that we will arise and being light of this world.
As we can see now or heard from any news in tv, radio and social media many people are suffering. Especially in other county that experiencing pain and persecutions, We need to pray for everyone that we will be endure until the day that Jesus Christ will come and reign with us. Godbless!
Indeed that we should rejoice even persecution comes to our lives, because through this persecution it help us to be firm in our Christian faith.God is not blind not to see how we persevere in times of suffering, he really reward us from being firm of our faith. Because we chose Him rather than the world. I also agree to you sister that we should be the light of the world because we are different from them. We represent Christ not the world and be the light from their world of darkness. You said that we should pray, yes, prayer is the best weapon to help our fellow Christian.
Jesus said that anyone who would follow him should be prepared to face persecutions. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ would most definitely be persecuted and mocked because of their faith. But Jesus also said that we must take heart because he has overcome the world. I believe that the people who were called to Christ were handpicked because God knows that they would be able to stand in the midst of persecution. Christians should face and accept persecution as long as it is for Christ. In Jesus'sermon on the mount, he had said that the persecuted for his sake were blessed. Also, Jesus had been persecuted and even crucified for unworthy people like us. He chose to die for us, who are we to complain and escape persecution? Other religious groups persecute us because of indifference to doctrines and beliefs, but it does not give us an opportunity or right to persecute them as well. They are also just standing up for their belief and their god. Instead of persecuting them, we should work to reach out to them that they may know the truth that we know. We were once gentiles who were out of the picture of God's salvation. In this generation, they are the "gentiles". And so let us reach out to them and expand the scope of salvation. Even the government at times may persecute christianity. Some would be banning the preaching and teaching of the Bible and Christ in schools. But this does not tell us to stop. Rather we should continue, but being watchful in obedience to the law and government since they were the ones whom God has placed above us. We are still blessed in the Philippines, as we are free to talk about our faith, preaching, reading the Bible, praying, and etc. in public. Let us use every opportunity we have, but still within the boundary of the law given to us. Since there are different persecutions going on such as: speaking against us, bad-mouthing Christianity, faking Christianity, and others, let us be genuine and endure. Persevere under trial because we have the blessed hope that one day, He will wipe away every tear, no more death, grief, crying, and pain will no longer exist. Because by then, the previous things have passed away.
Well said Ms. Leones. Persecutions will always be on our backs as long as we are still in this cruel world. But there will come a time, all those persecutions will be just fade away. All we must do now, is just to stand firm to what we believe. Don't fall, do not stumble. Hold om to Him. Abide in Him.
Following Christ means facing whatever circumstances, trials, problems and persecutions in life that surely would come. In 2 Timothy 3:12, it gives us an idea on to which, choosing to live a Godly life. Will be persecuted in a way, that would hit all angles of our lives. Persecution must be accepted by Christians like us, knowing that the Bible tells it so. To answer how, So what? If we are persecuted. As it is said in Matthew 5. That blessed are those who are persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Well, for us. Christian response is that even though people or even the world, the whole world will persecute us, still we will stand firm on to what we believe in. We will not stumble nor fall, we will pray and ask God for help on how would I be a blessing to these people to whom, aslo is the receipient of His great love. I will endure and ask God for perseverance that we may not fall. And will always do what is the will of God and do our best to glorify His name.
Persecutioms are everywhere, and in any forms. Today, there are a lot of forms that persecutiom can be and will be. Well, the advantage of being persecuted is we know that God that is living in us. Will never depart nor forsake us. Will never leave us crying and defeated. Thats the best part. So whatever it is, persecution or whatsoever. As long as we are on the right track. Then continue what youre doing.
Great response molds! You consider persecutions not totally an evil thing but a way for us Christians to be more closer to God. It is sad to know that there are still believers who get stumble in times of hardships. Your response is an encouragement for every child of God to trust and stand firm because our Father is stronger and powerful than anything else, even the most terrible persecution.
yeah nice response pastor! persecution is a test for our christian living. i like the idea that we should not stumble or fall in our faith in God even if the world will kill us. It is an encouragement for us today that even people will take our life, God will give us life eternally.
Indeed as we follow Christ we are now object of persecution in a different forms, but this expulsion could be a manifestation of God's greatness, and a channel for the persecutors to see what we believe and to believe in what we believe. Personally, persecution for me is gift that not every Christians wants to have, but as for me I would be glad having it because God promises that He will not let evil wins. Remember that the God we are serving is a victorious God. So, let us not be afraid to take the narrow road that leads to Heaven.
Indeed as we follow Christ we are now object of persecution in a different forms, but this expulsion could be a manifestation of God's greatness, and a channel for the persecutors to see what we believe and to believe in what we believe. Personally, persecution for me is gift that not every Christians wants to have, but as for me I would be glad having it because God promises that He will not let evil wins. Remember that the God we are serving is a victorious God. So, let us not be afraid to take the narrow road that leads to Heaven.
Majority of our churches here in the Philippines haven’t yet experienced great and terrible persecutions. In fact, our churches have the freedom to express our faith to anyone. But today there are a lot of religious groups who claimed to be the true church. Many of these groups are trying to destroy the image of Bible-believing evangelical Christians and testify that they have the right teachings and doctrines. So the question from above is how do we respond when these groups tries to attack us? What if these group will come into our home or personally approach us to test and tell us that what we believe is wrong? Apostle Peter already affirmed this by saying, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed” (2 Pet. 2:1-2 ESV). I think the best respond would be what Paul had told Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 ESV). “Rightly handling the word of truth” is the best strategy to defend what we believe from false heresies. Every churches today should encourage the members to have regular Bible studies, personal meditation, and Bible sharing with one another. I believe that it would serve as our weapons to guard our faith. Even persecutions from the government, the believer who is bounded with the truth of the Word will continue to deal maltreatments from higher authorities in a biblical way and perspective.
The question, “Are there different forms of persecution in today’s society?” The answer would be definitely “Yes!” But these persecutions is much easier compare to what the early Christians from the past experienced (I’m referring to what I observed here in the Philippines). But we can’t deny the fact that some of today’s persecutions still hurts. These persecutions can be in the form of verbal abuse, hated by some people, iiwanan ka ng ilan sa mga kaibigan mo, and even persecutions that comes from your own family. So Jesus gave us an encouragement to “take heart”, He knows that “In the world [we] will have tribulation… [but He] overcome the world” (John 16:33). Take heart and trust because GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK!
As I look at it, we are indeed so lax with our Christian living. It is so painful to see how the young people in this generation failed to acknowledge the sufferings of the first Christians. Christians nowadays are motivated in going to church with nominal reasons. They forgot the essence of the salvation that Christ had purposefully given to each of us. Christians are save to serve as the common adage says, and we are ought to really live as Christ commanded us to do.
As what the Bible say's, believers would respond with faith and prayers as what the early Christians did when they are persecuted, it must be accepted with a grateful heart because persecution is one of the tool that God uses to test and refine his children whom he loved. it must be accepted with joy and patience because it is also one of the way to a Christian growth, and i affirm that those who experienced persecution will also received the grace of God in action. On the other hand when persecution come from the government, Paul was given us the guidelines that we need to submit to the authority, not to be rebellious but in contrast we need to do the same do good to those who persecute us, then surrender and allow God to do the revenge. Here in Cebu one of the major forms that the believers had experience was only the minor persecution like rejecting in the family because their children stop going to catholic church and transfer to Christianity. but in worldwide persecution maybe the beheading of the Christians by the ISIS was the most scary persecution i ever witness in this century.
Amen pastor, pray in all circumstances with thanksgiving heart even it is hard (1 Thess 5:17-18). It is hard for your to pray sometimes when we are in the persecution. We must put in mind that we should pray without ceasing. no matter what happen in our life, we are in persecution or not, we must pray that God will strengthen us very days of our christian life.
I appreciate your observations and knowledge about persecutions pastor. I hope you would not stop praying and building your perspectives in life. Use your God given gifts. God bless.
Enduring persecutions are vital to every human beings whether believer of Jesus or not. Everyone has their own say-Muslims, atheists, Buddhists-about their encounter of trials. Since no one is excluded with this, I'll narrow down my focus to Christianity. Bible characters that we adore suffered, from the Old to the New Covenant. Some were persecuted due to personal carelessness, others were being punished due to the sins of others and there were also persecutions intended specifically for spiritual growth. Christ is the unquestionable Ultimate model who endured persecution. Now, if you commit to wholly surrender your life in the hands of God then Christians are ought to prepare themselves to the upcoming and unpredictable persecution. Since we are already convinced that this event for Christians is inevitable the we should have in mind weapons in responding persecutions. We are taught to be Christlike and in the first place we are created to be conformed like Him so as to answer the first question thrown, Christians should radiate Christ even when being persecuted. In a gentle, intelligent and wise manner Christians should always ask "what would Jesus do if put in this situation". Government is part of our society and we are commanded to obey because it is God who put them in the authority (Rom. 13). However, if it already ask you to blaspheme God and put your faith on test, then ask the "WWJD" question again.
Basically, its up to the person how he views his situation because petty things might already be a persecution to him but yes, it does come in many forms and again it depends upon the how the believer accepts his circumstance.
Yes lai, I agree you. persecution can help[ Christians grows in some aspect in life. Enduring the persecution can help is like your enduring in taking your exam. Even if it is hard, your finish it until the end. It is only a testing for our christian faith. Amen, soon to be Pastor's wife.
Christians must expect persecutions in life. Jesus said "If anyone will come after me, Let Him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). The verse is telling that the one who want to follow Jesus Christ will be persecuted. Because the phrase "Take up His cross" means death. Cross in those time is symbolize death. Meaning a person who follow Christ will give up his life for the sake of Christ even the whole world will persecute him. Even it will end his life. Christians must response to trust God and let Him work in your life. He is the owner of it and the one who can save it for the purpose. God has a purpose in every persecution. Before in the history of the Church, it spread the gospel through out the world. The government will persecute us, we must hold on our faith in God and don't leave it. Pray and trust Him alone. The form of persecution for us today are came form our neighbor or family because we leave the religion of our father.
In the world today there are only 700 million Christians. They are the true Christians who are really devoted to their commitment in the service of Christ. Hence they are facing persecutions from different religions end even from their own brothers, since evil is in this world. Thereupon these attacks are are in every angles of their lives. Furthermore Christians have to respond to these correctly, especially in knowing its nature in order for them to be aware and learn the lessons which God wants them to have through letting such trial affect their lives. There are different religions that are larger than Christianity today. Indeed, persecutions comes not just to Christians but also to the opposing groups which we call the false cults. This may be the most visible persecution that most believers are concerned in the world today. In the Philippines, Christianity is the most popular religion, in fact it could be the largest. In the most part, persecutions are less in the sense of religion battles--churches attacking churches. Indeed, the real persecutions are mostly invisible in this sense--it happens inside the Church. It is internal and the respond should also be limited inside. Thus, there are differrrent forms of persecutions which I will be talking later. Generally speaking, Christians should respond to persecutions from other religions by just simply surviving firmly from it and staying the course. The government somehow persecute Christians less in this days. But logically it is possible that someday the horror that our church fathers faced before will bounce back to us more stronger than then. Especially because we are in the world that is naturally evil. Thus demons have no other place to go since they are bounded together with our physical bodies in this physical world. Hence this persecution from the government may come, and all we can respond to it is to accept and make it as an opportunity to enjoy the process of His justification. Therefore, our living would be boring if we won't make it worth it. Persecutions may dress differently as Satan does attack Christians in all angles. Indeed, Jesus who is the subject of our belief was also persecuted in 40 days. Accordingly, we may face persecutions as his followers in the image of temptations. Thus we may also encounter persecutions in the form of survival. Although they are relative, but without knowing this, we could not recognize what we are facing, and as a result, we could not respond to it.
Indeed I also perceive that churches persecute each other, particularly evangelicals. Large denominations such as in the environment of Baptists persecute their own people socially. I have heard from a guy that Christians who lives in the mountainous areas seems to be lesser value than those who are residing in the cities. What I am writing here is realistic.
"Persecution" is not a foreign word for Christians who put their trust and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact persecution can be traced historically based on the biblical account of Jesus.In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says in the Beatitudes that persecution is a blessing. Not one that many of us ever desire! Jesus also defines the word for us in Luke 6:22 using four verbs. He says, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man." Note that it is Jesus in you who is the reason for and the target of persecution. To live in a world that is spiritually blind who sees different perspective often leads unbelievers to persecute those who believe in Christ. But, no matter what kind of mistreatment Christians experience they are gazing to the one and only person who enables them to have strength, hope, and might to endure expulsion. Our government might mistreat Christians and insult them from their belief, but in Roman 13:1-7 it is stated here that "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God". I personally believe that God allow things to happen because He has purpose and He wants to accomplish something through it. But, this does not mean that Christians doesn't have any freedom to stand and depend their belief whenever they are attack by the enemy. Persecution comes in a various ways it could be verbal provocation that leads to unfriendly feeling,physical torture, isolation, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, and even discrimination. Christian persecution is a result of ones description and identification in Christ.
I hope and I pray that every Christian has a clear understanding of whom they are following, and what it is to follow Christ.
He said in His words that He will bless those who are persecuted yet are not crushed.
Christians persecution is a common issue in the world, even inside our home we can experience being persecuted. But as Christian we should take part on helping our fellow Christians from persecution. In the book of Acts 4:1-32, we can learn from the apostles and the believers how they handled persecution. Prayer is the weapon that we can use against persecution and prayer is best thing that we can do to take part on helping our fellow Christian. Jesus made a statement to warned the church regarding persecution (Jn 15:18-19). All who believes in Christ will undergo or experience persecution (II Tim. 3:12). That's why we should hate whatever it is that is in the world than to love the world as what John said "Love not the world..." (I Jn. 2:15).
In the government, Christians should be submissive on the authority. Even they did something in evil way, we should not fought back evil against them. Instead to show love and care to them, as what Jesus showed to us. Though there will be killing, stealing and injustice happening, we should be a light to them. As what Jesus said, to be light in the world (Matt. 5:16) that they may see Christ within us. Paul also write in the book of Romans that we should “Overcome evil with good” (12:21). Therefore, don't fought back with evil instead to fought back with good. It seems the same with the with the society today specially to those countries which prohibits Christianity.
We should face and endure persecution because the outcome of this is growth.
In our context here in the Philippines, we may perceive persecutions not as what the other countries are experiencing right now. We can say that the persecution that is happening in our place is not really as powerful, forceful and it is much lighter than the others. Perhaps these persecution are from our parents, relatives or people around us who are really bitter about our christian lives. These people tend to critic us based on our beliefs which are different from them since some of them considered these beliefs as false. So we have this so called social persecution since it raises conflicts between two different parties and it affects close relationships such as within the family, relatives or even friendships. Though it is more on social aspect it can still affect the spiritual aspect of the one being persecuted so it affects both side of the person's life.
What if, much powerful, forceful, terrifying persecution that will fall upon us, How should we respond? In the first place we might get shocked because it is our first time to experience this. The answer to this question must be based on the Bible, both in the Old and the New Testament since it contains a lot of instances regarding persecution and how did the persecuted ones responded. It already started in the Old Testament a lot of God's people fell into persecution yet they continued to serve the Lord their God. As an example the prophet Elijah who was supposed to be killed by queen Jezebel continued his work as the prophet of God and tell the people that the one they are worshiping is not a true God. Another is the prophet Jeremiah who was beheaded because of his appeal to the people of Israel regarding the will of God for them. So these terrible persecutions are common before and if we look at on how they responded, they took the risk even if it would lead them to death. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ said to his disciples that they will be hated for his name sake. And so it happened. But before that, even Jesus Christ experience persecution. Such as, he was rejected by his family and by his home town and the worst thing, he was called insane. He himself experience persecution in his death where he was mocked, spitted, and crucified. The words that he told to his disciples became true even to the disciples of his disciples. Peter and John were imprisoned, Stephen was stone to death and later on Paul who was one of the Christians' persecutor, was converted and was also persecuted and killed because of his boldness in sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. There were some Christians who were persecuted during the time of Nero, where many of them were scattered in different places. Instead that Christianity will stop, it became phenomenal. These people were indeed martyrs for Christ. They strengthen their faith instead of weakening and rejecting it. They prayed instead of complaining to God because they know that the suffering that they are encountering is nothing compare to the glory that they will have when they will be with their Lord.
So how can I or you apply it today basing on the biblical instances? Persecutions are certain, it would really come. In our society we have the government who will persecute us. In our law, it says that there is a separation between the church and the state but there are still instances that the government will critic the church in many ways. Even our family, friends, relatives will persecute us. Some religions which claimed to be Christians will also persecute the true believers of Christ. Christians should be prepared by strengthening faith it because it really matters when these times come. Hopefully that when these circumstances come, we will look forward on our future condition with the Lord and not in this present world which is indeed full of pleasure but all in temporary condition.
Christian are those who are claiming that they received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. They are the people who believed that God is one but three distinct person. They are also following Jesus Christ's example while He was still here on earth. Jesus already told the Christian that following Him is not easy. Christian should also suffer.When the person decided to live with Christ he/she must always be ready. Because satan will attack anytime. Satan can use the other group/religion for the persecution of the Christian. But we need to know that the other group/religion is not our enemy Satan alone is our enemy in this world. Satan blinded them for what is real. When persecution will come from the other group/religion we should respond gently "a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all..." (2 Tim. 2: 24). We will pray for them and try to love them as He commanded to us to love, because God is love. But, if we cannot take it anymore because the persecution is too much to bear, cry out to the Lord because He hears us, He knew us, and He is fighting for us. Talking about the persecution from the government is very difficult especially for those Christian workers who are working in the government. What if they will loss their job? What if they will all kill the Christian? Well they can do that because they have power, they can abuse it if they want. Remember also they govern the cities. But we also need to remember even though they are handling our cities and govern everything, Christian must remember that the Lord is the one holding the earth. Leaders of the government are only human they will also die,like us. No one can escape. So, what we gonna do is to respond to the government gently and try to bow down our head and pray. Just like Daniel in the Old Testament instead of being mean to the people he just humble himself and trust the Lord. Jesus himself is our model; He himself submitted to the will of the Father. As Christian, we should submit and obey God's word which is not to retaliate when others persecute us. There is no different form of persecution in today's society but it becomes worst. Why? Because as we noticed in our society as well as in other country they persecuted Christian even to the point of death.
Amen Lai. Christians must always ready in any persecution that we face in life as a followers of Jesus Christ. You have a good point saying that those who persecute us is not our enemy which is correct. Only Satan is our enemy. That is why they are under our obligation to tell them about the love of Christ to them. Christ died for all people including those who persecuted us. We must pray for them that God works in their hearts and open their hearts to the truth. God can change them in perfect time and in God's way.
yes, you are right alai leizel, that Satan will attack Christians anytime, the reason why, we Christian should be firm in our faith and hold on to our source of faith. the Son of our faith- Jesus Christ. Also you said that it is not easy to follow Jesus and your right again with that, it sounds ironic right in the song " there is joy in serving Jesus" it's true but then again it's hard so if you are really called by God you will really stand, rely on him and do not be led astray by any huge circumstances.
Following Christ did not promise us to live a happy life, without troubles, hardships or even persecution instead Christian was encourage to endure hardships in times of persecution. Being a Christian who live in Christ was very prone to persecution especially that we are not from this world but the Scriptures is telling us to pray in times of these situations. Yes, other groups/religions may persecute us because they think that what they have believe in is the truth, so we need to respond in Christlike manner, pray for them and trusting God to work in their lives. Nothing is impossible with God, even in the times of New to Old testament Bible,the more they persecuted the more they grew in number so Christian should stand of what we have believe in and take this opportunity to see them who really our God is. Persecution is not new to us as we look at our Bible, they face various kinds of it but they endure and rejoice even in the midst of pain. Following Christ demands to deny ourselves and as we live out a Christlike attitude there are some will not understand about it even our government they may persecute us because definitely they don't understand and they do not know the truth but it doesn't mean just because they persecute us we will not show respect to them remember that God is telling us to submit to them. In this case, we need to humble ourselves and let God's miraculous hands work in them. Yes, indeed there are different kinds of persecution nowadays.When we will look at in the context of the Philippines, maybe some experience verbal abuse, rejected by their own family and even hurts by their loved ones or friends. God is encouraging us that we are blessed when persecution is arise and to take heart because he had overcome the world. We only need to stand with our faith as a worker who has no need to be ashamed to the word of truth. Christians be still and know that He is God who controls everything.
There is no doubt that persecution will happen in a Christian life. but are we really called by God to just sit and wait for nothing or to stand and to do something for God. As a followers of Christ, we should stand on what we believed. In 2 Tim.3:12 says" everyone one who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". in this verse, Paul warned us that persecution is to be expected by Christians. instead of fighting back the persecutor,Christian must know to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it for God will judge who persecutes us. when the persecution comes from the government,Christian should know how to respond on it. we are commanded to submit all the authorities in our country but if there's something strange or something that is denying our Christian faith, we need to stand for Jesus even if it will cost our very own lives. we should remember this,"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake , for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven"(Matt.5:15). Yes. there are different kinds of persecution in today's society. these are the following: put into prison(not true suspect), being shot and murdered. As we an see persecution really happen in reality. Jesus Christ reminded us to be still and be very glad for the great rewards awaits you in heaven. Don't be stumble just hold on to Him.
Mother, it seems like we have the same thought or introduction maybe (hahaha) and I didn't notice it at all. Well, I agree that even if we face different kinds of persecution we should not be stumble yet we should fix our eyes on Jesus for He is the perfecter of our faith.
We can't deny the fact that, we will face a lot of challenges, opposition, and a lot more. Actually, some believers wrongly perceived that you'll experience easy life when you became Christians. It's so sad to think when time comes it didn't meet their expectations, they may stumble or back slide because it's not what they were thinking of. Truthfully, persecution was part in the Sermon of the Mount that was given by Jesus, which He says that blessed are those when others revile and persecute and utter all kinds of evil against falsely on our account. In contrary to our response as human, Jesus instructed us to rejoice and and be glad despite of, knowing that the world hated Him first before us.Assuredly, He had promised that great is our reward in heaven.
It is true that some wrongly believe that following Christ leads to prosperity. And we can hear a lot about that. They did not pay attention to what Jesus is telling us. Following Him can mean no shelter. He emphasized that we are to live humble lives and contented in Him. He sure did promise blessings but not the blessings that the worldly and materialiatic mindset has. He even warned us about persecutions.
It is true that some wrongly believe that following Christ leads to prosperity. And we can hear a lot about that. They did not pay attention to what Jesus is telling us. Following Him can mean no shelter. He emphasized that we are to live humble lives and contented in Him. He sure did promise blessings but not the blessings that the worldly and materialiatic mindset has. He even warned us about persecutions.
There is no doubt that persecution is an absolute reality of living the Christian life. Christian persecution is to be expected: the apostle Paul warned that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that, if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute His followers (John 15:20). Jesus made it clear that those of the world will hate Christians because the world hates Christ. If Christians were like the world—vain, earthly, sensual, and given to pleasure, wealth, and ambition—the world would not oppose us. But Christians do not belong to the world. We are motivated by the love of God and holiness, while the world is driven by the love of sin. It is our very separation from the world that arouses the world’s bitterness. We must learn to value the persecution and even to rejoice in it, in a quiet and humble way. Even in the face of Christian persecution, we can press on. We can thank God for His grace and patience with us. We can express gratitude for those whom we love in the Lord and who stand with us in times of distress. And we can pray for those who would accuse, misuse, or abuse us (2 Corinthians 11:24; Romans 10:1). Hence, believers are to be model citizens, known as law abiding, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. We must speak against sin, against injustice, against immorality and ungodliness with fearless dedication, but we must do it within the framework of civil law and with respect for civil authorities. We are to be a godly society, doing good and living peaceably within an ungodly society, manifesting our transformed lives so that the saving power of God is seen clearly. Moreover, there are different forms of persecution yet one thing we should bare in our mind is that we must persevere in any kind of persecution for Jesus is always beside us, with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
In addition to what I said earlier, lots of Christian martyrs spilled their blood to fight to what they have believed in. I've learned many missionaries on other countries were imprisoned, tortured, or far worse, beheaded because the persecutors wanted them to recant or deny their faith. In relation to, I believed that it is no different nowadays. In a lot of ways, believers of Christ were also opposed and persecuted in their workplace, peers, or even their own respective families due to that. Well, if we look at the other directions, they may differ on its forms because some persecutions back then were brutal or inhumane like being crucified on the cross, eaten by the lions, made as a subject of entertainment, and some sort of. Well, I think now Christians might be sued by some like an atheist such as not signing their marriage license, gay-lesbian relationships specifically. In spite of, Jesus assured us to take heart---knowing that it's just temporary and great will be our reward in heaven of those who endure until the end of times comes, where Jesus will come again, risen on high.
Persecutions sounds scary yet it will test a person if that person is really genuine or fake in his/her calling. We can heard a lot of news about Christians persecuted by other people and most of them died on their faith because they did not recant and they stood up for their beliefs. But how about if we are going to be in that same scenario. Are we going to deny and live or die with a firm faith in Jesus Christ. So how should Christians respond to persecutions from other people. For me, we should pray for them, we should be faithful to our calling and still love those people who persecuted us because that is the great commandment of God - to love our neighbors as thyself. We should be firm in our faith through reading the word of God, depending on his promises that he will comfort us and we can give our burdens to him. we should not have a grudge or hatred heart to those people or we should revenge because God has a plan for everything instead pray for their salvation. all of the things that I said is so impossible because how can we love those who hurt us when sometimes we cannot even forgive our friends who hurt us as well but we can only do it by the grace of God. It's also the same in the government if they will persecute the church then still do the same thing pray for them, love them and forgive them. For we know better and more than them. Persecution comes in many ways today, it could be in our family, social media and more that is stepping and hurting you because of your faith in Jesus Christ. But all we can do for now, is to hold on to God and pray, pray, pray.
If there are persecutions, Christians should take it as a sign that Christ is really shown in his or her life. I mean Jesus assured us about persecution that we will really experience it if we follow Him. And we, Christians should be expectant of the coming persecutions. We should not hate them for doing that to us though it's really hard. We should love them even more. "Pagbinato ka ng bato, batohin mo ng tinapay" as the saying states. Jesus commanded us to love our "enemies" and Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray for those who persecute us. It is possible that the government will persecute Christians through debying privileges and rejecting government applications and requests due to our faith. But the Philippine government is separate from any religion. Both can't control both. Since it is so, then I should stand on my ground that I have the right to be in a position in any legal matters. But if they insist, then I will just lie low. I won't give them any hint to critize Christians because of my attitude. They usually generalize, you know. Same is true, I will still pray for them. I have observed that there are various forms of persecutions.Even the strangers can persecute you. Like Christian celebrities, they are bashed, scandalized and unfollowed because of their faith. And your unbelieving friends too. They label you with many kinds of "holy" titles not to appreciate you but to embarrass. Still, we are to be heads up and happy because they see a difference in us. It means that we are truly being a light to them.
If there are persecutions, Christians should take it as a sign that Christ is really shown in his or her life. I mean Jesus assured us about persecution that we will really experience it if we follow Him. And we, Christians should be expectant of the coming persecutions. We should not hate them for doing that to us though it's really hard. We should love them even more. "Pagbinato ka ng bato, batohin mo ng tinapay" as the saying states. Jesus commanded us to love our "enemies" and Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray for those who persecute us. It is possible that the government will persecute Christians through debying privileges and rejecting government applications and requests due to our faith. But the Philippine government is separate from any religion. Both can't control both. Since it is so, then I should stand on my ground that I have the right to be in a position in any legal matters. But if they insist, then I will just lie low. I won't give them any hint to critize Christians because of my attitude. They usually generalize, you know. Same is true, I will still pray for them. I have observed that there are various forms of persecutions.Even the strangers can persecute you. Like Christian celebrities, they are bashed, scandalized and unfollowed because of their faith. And your unbelieving friends too. They label you with many kinds of "holy" titles not to appreciate you but to embarrass. Still, we are to be heads up and happy because they see a difference in us. It means that we are truly being a light to them.
How should Christians respond when persecutions come from other
groups/religions? What about persecution from the government?
As followers of Christ, we face persecutions and it differs how do we respond into it. It depends about the maturity process of a Christian,(is it a baby or a mature believer of Christ?). Some Christians respond with vengeance of those persecutions face. Mature believers of Christ understand and realize that persecution is a normal part of the maturing process for every Christian. As we follow Jesus we will experience pain, shame and even hardships in life. We must pray for those who persecute us and pray also that God will bless them. We should show a life that genuinely love them,show care to them, and forgive them. Christians must also wear the whole armor of God so that persecutions or testings comes their way they will know how to resist the enemy. Although, it is indeed a hard thing to do but we must ask the grace of God that we can obey His will and not our own will.
ReplyDeleteWhen persecution comes from the government, Christians should know how to weigh things and how to stand in the midst of those persecution. Indeed, we are commanded to submit to the authorities but when we notice it that they will command us to deny our Christian faith; we need to stand our faith in Jesus even it cost us in misery. We should not fear those who kill our body but can't kill our soul.
Yes, there are different forms of persecution in today's society. This include ethnic, social, political reasons and religious grounds of persecution. Others are being imprisoned, tortured, killed, threatened and discriminated because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Thank you ate Dori. It was very well explained. I've learned also of what you have publish for this blog. I agree of what you have said that Christians have different responds on persecution . That's why we need to be mature. As what you have said that being mature believers of Christ understand and realize that persecution is a normal part of the maturing process of a Christian. The best comfort that we can get is from the Word of God.
Deleteyour right ate dor's Christian has its different responds that is as we as the ambassador of Christ we were to do encourage to one another as what the bible says and through the bible we may understand and know how to respond persecution and through these our maturity in Christian life grows.
DeleteYou are absolutely correct ate doli, every people will really experience persecutions and not just Christians. I have realize it just now that not just Christians were being persecuted but other religions also. As a Christian we are expected to suffer and persecuted so we work hard to grown in Spirit and knowledge with our Lord Jesus, so that when persecutions come we are able to handle it with correctly and with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
DeleteI'd like your thought about how Christians respond to persecutions. In fact, it's very true to many believers nowadays. Some may give up because they cannot bear the sufferings they were enduring. Other reasons maybe, they were imparted a prosperity gospel to wherever church they were situated. A prosperity gospel which fosters or imparted only the good life of being a Christian, and not the reality that there will be a moment in our life that we'll face this kind of trial. I was being reminded when God said in His Word that we are hated by the world just as it hated Christ first. Indeed, those who are new in faith may not understand of the reason why we suffer such thing. Most likely, they were not being mentored with those matured already in faith especially about this matter. They were being unaware of what was happening in their life which may result to stumble and blaming game. I regard to, we must always remember that in the face of trials, persecution, or whatever there is, we must fight and ASK God's strength, love, and peace in order to endure it.
DeleteIndeed, we can benefit from the encouragement of one another, God's word, and the guidance of mentors as we face different kinds of oppositions as followers of Christ. May we all treasure these resources that the Lord made available for all of us.
DeleteI really appreciate on what the Christians did in the past. On how they respond to the persecution that came to their time. As what I have learned from the class that there are also Christians that had run away in the persecution.
ReplyDeleteI stand on the verse that says to live is Christ and to die is gain. If i will put myself in the persecution, I would say that I will stand until my last breath. Of course we need also to pray to those who persecute us and bless them even they are being cruel. Actually the truth is easy to write to talk about this but it is difficult to do it. That is why we must have the courage to face this persecution. Everyday is a battle, if you learn how to fought with it you will not worry of what will happen in the future and we must also have this intimate relationship with God and it is really really important.
What if persecution in the government. We all know that we need to submit to the authority. No objection for that but if this persecution is all about denying Jesus, I will stand to my faith no matter what and is not only me but all of us Christians must stand for our faith. Let us remember that we don't belong into this world. This not our home.
Yes, there are different forms of persecution in today's society. Persecution in today's society are torturing, suffered from prison, beheaded, threatened and being persecute of their faith in Jesus Christ. It is really difficult when you are in the situation. But good thing is that we are already secured through the love of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit. There would be pain but it is only for temporary because in our home were Jesus right now, no more pain, no more persecution, and no more crying. This would give me comfort.
-To live Christ and to die is gain
Amen Joy!Indeed it is hard to live without Christ in our life. All would be retaliation and would even resulted to rage and murder. The three heart habits (prayer,fellowship and reading God's word) is very important in our Christian life and we should never give up meeting together as part of the Body of Christ.
Deleteduring the time of our Lord Jesus they faced persecution and through those persecution Jesus thought how would they respond through trials and persecution, Jesus said "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.Remember the word that I said to you:servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” in addition to that he said "pray for those who persecute you, bless those who persecute you" and indeed this things which Jesus teach is very hard to follow to us Christians because but this is what our savior taught to his followers and we also is his followers and we must think first that Jesus is the first whom persecuted before we, indeed he said "Bless and Pray" those who persecuting us Christians and as I find the meaning of this it is said bless is to speak well, this kind of blessing that Christians will take as a habit when facing persecution. Pray is an action which is said pray to God that God may forgive them and instead of hating them back in a form of harsh thing we will bless them through prayer. i know it is hard for us to do this things but as we practice it as our habit with a prayer, it can create good attitude to us like Jesus, Jesus is our only mirror when it comes of attitude, so attitude of blessing through prayer will be must practice to us Christians.
ReplyDeleteIn times of government there are also persecution that each person would face, but the bible says we must submit to the authority because they are the one who handles it but it doesn't say that we can't do nothing about it, there is a way how we can help our government it through and by prayer because this is our bullet to help them and also because through prayer we can stand what is right and what is wrong.
in today's world when it comes of persecution are there is similarity but now it become more worst than before there are more of killings,beheaded,tortured and many more kinds of persecution that we hear and read in news, but these things are it said that the world will be more worst and cruel that is why we as Christians we know that this world will come to an end and the more we face this, but instead of become worry we will be watchful in praying that God will strengthen us when the times we face this things that we will stand by faith in the name of Jesus.
"when the all married says till death do us part, for us Christians we will say, till death no one can separate me in Jesus, because death is my victory in him"
Amen pastor. Very biblical. Praying is good. It is our act that we trust God in our situation and acknowledge His power that we can do nothing without Him in our life.
DeleteYes, we must pray for those who persecute us because we do not know who are saved and who are not. We don't know that one of the persecutor is one of the chosen that is why we must act godly even in the times of persecution.
Very prayerfully reply Pastor Jesster.
God bless us Christians!!
Amen pastor. Very biblical. Praying is good. It is our act that we trust God in our situation and acknowledge His power that we can do nothing without Him in our life.
DeleteYes, we must pray for those who persecute us because we do not know who are saved and who are not. We don't know that one of the persecutor is one of the chosen that is why we must act godly even in the times of persecution.
Very prayerfully reply Pastor Jesster.
God bless us Christians!!
Thanks Jesster for a lengthy reply. And I also like that you used many Scripture passages. I would appreciate it if you could cite the references whenever you use Bible verses. Thanks.
DeleteIt is costly to follow Christ. In life of a Christian here on earth has many struggles but the world cannot understand why Christians are still faithful in God even in the midst of life and death.
ReplyDeleteChristians respond to the persecution differently. There are some Christian respond violently like. Christians must act godly even in the midst of persecution because if Christian will act violently the persecutor will be more anger and we will not good example to them and cannot win them through our lives if we act harshly. We must trust God and let His will be done in our life and trusting that He controls everything even our situation and He knows whats good for us.
In our government, yes according to the Bible that we must submit to the government but if the thing that they want us to do is not good for us it can cause for our Christian life to be away from God, we must be firm in faith and be brave to fight for our faith. Keep the good fight of faith.
There are many kinds of persecution in our society. Beheaded, put into prison, forsaken by love ones, being tortured physically and emotionally, and many more. It is hard to face this kinds of persecution because it cost pain and most of all it kills.
For Christians, be still because what some other said that it is only temporary because we are all alien here on earth because our original home is in where the Father is. The place where is no pain, no sacrifice, no death and no persecution. We must be full of joy because even if we are still here on earth, we already knew where we go and we are safe. There is no safe place here on earth, only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
yes loy, I agree with you that the safest place here on earth is by putting our life in Jesus Christ by our faith because through this we can have the great joy and peace even we face persecution in our life.
DeleteYes! I agreed with your statement Erick that you said that its costly to follow Christ and its true because before we chose to follow Christ is not that good that there will painful times and one of that is persecution. But let me add or clarify one thing but its my opinion. For me there is a lot of kind of believers there are believers who only know that they are believer of Christ in mind but not a faithful follower of Him that's why when persecution come they will act violently and harshly. But when a faithful follower of Christ will be persecuted they are so different from those who act violently because they know what is the right thing to do or what is the right action towards persecution. But over all you have a good point when persecution come in the life of every believer and I hope that when it happen to you or to me or any of us lets us act and respond it in a right way that shows that we are matured enough.
DeleteYour right kuya, following Christ is costly that is why a lot of christian too give up on their christian life or following Christ because they are bombarded with the trials. But we also knew that there is always hope in Jesus Christ.
DeleteSo, even in the midst of trials we need to know why we following Jesus so that we will not give up easily.
It is costly to follow Christ. In life of a Christian here on earth has many struggles but the world cannot understand why Christians are still faithful in God even in the midst of life and death.
ReplyDeleteChristians respond to the persecution differently. There are some Christian respond violently like. Christians must act godly even in the midst of persecution because if Christian will act violently the persecutor will be more anger and we will not good example to them and cannot win them through our lives if we act harshly. We must trust God and let His will be done in our life and trusting that He controls everything even our situation and He knows whats good for us.
In our government, yes according to the Bible that we must submit to the government but if the thing that they want us to do is not good for us it can cause for our Christian life to be away from God, we must be firm in faith and be brave to fight for our faith. Keep the good fight of faith.
There are many kinds of persecution in our society. Beheaded, put into prison, forsaken by love ones, being tortured physically and emotionally, and many more. It is hard to face this kinds of persecution because it cost pain and most of all it kills.
For Christians, be still because what some other said that it is only temporary because we are all alien here on earth because our original home is in where the Father is. The place where is no pain, no sacrifice, no death and no persecution. We must be full of joy because even if we are still here on earth, we already knew where we go and we are safe. There is no safe place here on earth, only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
As a follower of Christ persecutions always follow and it will always be present to every true Christian's lives. It would hit us in every directions of our lives, physical, spiritual, mental and social oppression from different people that surrounds us. Sometimes persecutions comes from our family, so it is not new to us if we are being oppressed by other people especially other religious groups, what's new is how we would respond to these persecutions. Every Christian responds to every persecution depending on how mature and deep rooted their faith to Christ is, but correct respond must be based on what the Scripture say.
ReplyDeleteChristians must respond humbly, kindly, with firm belief to his faith and with prudence to the persecutions of other groups/ religions. We must show them that Christ is living in us by not responding rudely to them, and by respecting their beliefs. We have to show them the love of Christ that reflects to us. Godliness must still be seen in every actions and words we speak, and we must speak the truth, the truth which is what the bible is telling. Prayer and speaking blessing to them is also the biggest move that what we need to do for our persecutors, by it we are showing that we are different from them and it is because we have Christ in us.
Persecutions from Government is a big problem for every Christians for we people belongs to the Government and we have to submit to their authority but submission doesn't mean we have to give up our faith because they said so or because of their persecutions. If the Government will persecute us we have to stand firm to our faith and belief even if it means death, for we know that things here on earth were just temporary and the true price is in Christ. So we don't have to be afraid if we are being oppressed by the government and do not let their threat overcome us. We submit to their authority but we must submit more to the authority of Christ.
Since from the beginning there are various ways of persecutions God's people are facing, they are being oppressed verbally by being ridiculed and the worst of all is they were killed. That didn't changed until now because there are still beheading of Christians, they were being shot, they were put to prison and they were sometimes forced to turn back from the faith they have for Jesus.
Christians are now facing difficulties so we must be zealous in spreading the Word of God and continually do the will of the Lord. We must not let persecutions hinder us from making disciples and scattering God's truth.
I like it when you said even if it means death. That's the virtue every believers should possess-COURAGE! Christians are often tempted to be led in apostate due to fear of enduring pain and trials, neglecting what our Fathers had done in the past. If only every Jesus' follower would ponder upon their (1st Christians) gruesome experiences, at least they would have the motivation to stand firm not just focusing in their present state but would look on eternity.
Deleteyou have a point Kc, that as a believers we have to expect that we are the eye center of persecution, and i agree that persecution is not only physical but we will experience it hollistically, yeah i get your point that sometimes persecution happened in our family, i can relate because i experience the same, i like your work too, the kindly, humbly and with prudence i think that's the wonderful respond when persecutions strike.
Delete"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10)."
ReplyDeleteDifferent beliefs, different values, and different practices.with all these differences, persecutions are inevitable, especially if the other groups or factions have the we-are-the-only-one-who-is-right mindset, which is a trend to every churches today. Some people says that when your faith is genuine, persecution will really come in the way. I believe that when a person says that he loves a God it was also an act of acceptance that he will also experience pain because of it. The difference is, despite of the pain brought by those who persecutes, the joy of having Christ will still prevail. But how should a christian must respond to it. Acts 7 narrated to us how the people persecuted Stephen because of Christ and instead of cursing them or giving them threats he fell on his knees and prayed for his persecutors. During Jesus Christ's death on the cross, He also prayed to God to forgive them for they do not know what they were doing. We have heard and read a lot of persecuted missionaries and most of them made us cry. we cry with the thought that most of them never raised a fist against their persecutor, they died willingly for Christ's name sake.
Christians who were experiencing persecutions must celebrate it. the respond must not be like how the persecutors did. Christians are to be bearers of peace despite of cruelty and darkness. Despite of all pain from those people who does not want to accept the truth, we must stand still and hold on to the faith. We are armies of Christ, and we've been fighting the battle of righteousness. an army of God must not hold back for our King is our refuge and strength in the middle of the battle ground.
There will be times that even the government will come into the way and try to stop us. as a christian we are commanded by God to obey the authorities. we must learn how to be prudent in choosing what to obey and what to go against. we must ask God for daily wisdom of determining what is the right thing to do and what are the things that we can't do for it will compromise our faith. We have to believe that no matter who is the one that is in the authority in our place or county, still God is the king of this City and that he is the one who has the highest authority.
persecution can come in different ways. it can be physical, social, emotional, cyber, and many more. thought despite of this world wide availability of ways in order to persecute a believer of Christ, still He is our healer, He is the one who will hold us together though the pressure of persecution is already breaking us. it may come in different ways but our God will still be with us all the way. the promise of God that He will never leave us and that he will be with till the end of the age is for keeps.
Hold on. keep fighting the battle of faith not with your own power but with the power of Christ that is in you. do not fear death for to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil.1:21).
Amen Sister!
Deletei can see that you really know your stand in Christ.
and that is the very thing every Christian should have, the knowledge of who we are, what we are and what we will have in Christ.
We, as lights, as ambassadors, as peace bearers, as armies, and as children of God, should flesh out what we really are. Let's show to the world what we've got because of Christ, even in persecutions.
Back when we were not yet Christians, most of us, persecuted those people who preached Jesus' name to us, we often called them different bad names; Now that we know and received Christ, we are experiencing what we do to them before. And that is common of a Christian in this society, though not that brutal like other countries. But we can say that we are persecuted.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are attacked by those people who persecutes us because of our belief in Jesus, i must say that it is important to have this absolute foundation -the Word of God in dealing those trials, we should look how the people in the Bible faced their persecutions. When we are done looking the principles in the Bible about persecution, we can find patterns in dealing those:
First is that, we must pray for those who persecute us, as well as our persecuted brethren. Because prayer is the best respond we can give. Another is that we should trust God in this situation, although we are startled or panicked by the pressures surrounds us, we have this assurance because we trusted God, we are calm and confident because we know God is Sovereign. Also, when we are persecuted, we get more intimate with the One, or the reason why we are persecuted- Christ.
For me, these responses of persecutions is applicable for the persecutors -both religion and politics. But we still need to have prudence in dealing these persecutions especially from government, our actions must be of well-thought before we respond to persecutions.
Yes, there are different forms of persecutions, and it varies to where you are now. Like for example the situation in Arab countries. It also differs to the persecutions in Western countries, and Asian countries.
These forms are like, when you are a Christian and you are expelled in your family, who is devoted to their religion. Also, you are persecuted like Arab countries, you are killed because you're a Christian, and you are not allowed to preach the gospel, in Western, and in Asia, like China, made underground Churches due to a severe persecution.
As we see the world today, it's getting wicked, but we Christians must show a different lifestyle.
People will persecute us if they see that we are different to them, but the truth is, we are not different, they just don't know what God has commanded.
We should be happy if we are persecuted, because they see us differently, and they don't like it. Let's continue to Give God Glory!
Pursue Christ likeness; Be ready for Persecutions!
Indeed, you are right Jonan. The Bible is the ultimate source of what a christian must do in any situation. The word of God and even Christ himself, showed us how we must deal with persecutions. Despite of all these instructions, many christians were persecuted not because of their beliefs but because of how they dealt with people who persecuted them. Some who died because of persecutions were not totally persecuted or if they were, they were killed because of imprudent and tactless way of dealing it. We must not just know what the Bible said but we must also know how to apply it correctly in our personal walk with God.we are called to follow Christ. to be the bearers of the kingdom. To imitate Him as he modeled to us how we should live our lives as the Father's child. persecutions must not stop us but it must spur us to be more closer to our God and have a progressive faith in Him.
Deleteright na right!!
DeleteThough I have not experienced not being in a Christian context when I was young, I believe that you are right Jonan. Even if we aren't talking about Christianity, when we do something to others in the past, sometime soon we would be experiencing them too. Pointing to the golden rule, let us just then continue to act as Christ did to those who persecuted him and we will be amazed at what our acts pf Christ-likeness can do to the people around us. Instead pf returning their kind of favor, show them Christ who is in you.
DeleteChristian believers know already that as I or We chose to follow Christ persecution will be there anywhere and anytime. We believers can't hide or ignore persecution because all of us who follow Christ will be persecuted by other people or groups or even by the government.And also we that following Christ is not happy life that we are always happy and there is no more sadness but the truth we are going to face trials and pain as we follow Christ and one of that is being persecuted by people or other religious groups. That's why in the Bible we are commanded by God to be always prepared of persecution because time will come that there will be someone will persecute us. Maybe one of that is our family we don't know who are those people but we can sure that those people who will persecute us is those people who are not yet saved. In Ephesians 6:11 we are told and commanded that we believers should always wear the full armor of God for us to stand firm when persecution come to destroy or to delude our mind that will cause to weaken our faith to God.
ReplyDeleteWhen persecution comes in the life of every faithful believer of Christ we need first to strengthen our faith to God by reading and having a intimate relationship with Him and also as we read and meditate His word we are also to wear the full armor of God for us to stand firm. Again when persecution come let us not forget to pray for those people who persecute us because they don't know who are they persecuting and they are blinded with a lie. Instead of arguing them let us show mercy to them and pray for them secretly that they also may hear the good news about the gospel for them to be save. We allow people to persecute us or the other religious but we will never tolerate them we need to reach out them and educate them by the word of God in gentle way of doing it. But in terms of the government we are told to follow law because they the authorities but as a Christian we also need to weigh in what is good or bad it the government will told ask to deny our faith to God that is the time that we stand with our faith even if we are going to be killed by them.
Yes! There are a lot of forms of persecution in our time today. Some of that is in verbal way like some of the Christian believer experience being persecuted in a way that they are bully by those people who came from other religious group. As what I experience I was also bulled by my friends before when they know that I'm a Christian maybe this kind of persecution is very common to our time today. But the same before there is also oppression towards Christian and there is killing, imprisonment, and also torture for every believers and ISIS group is the very know group who do that kind of persecution today.
But We christian always remember what the Lord says in the book of Matthew 5:10 in the beatitude that " Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for their is the kingdom of heaven." this verse is very comforting for us as a Christian when we are persecuted in righteousness sake for we know that their is God who will defend for us and that the kingdom of heaven is waiting for us. I encourage all of us especially those who are already persecuted or in this time still persecuted by people stand firm and continue to follow Christ because after that persecution the kingdom of heaven is waiting for us to enter.
I will leave you with these verse in Hebrew 13:5 it says "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Endure lan even in the midst of trials because God is faithful in His promises and keep on clinging to him. Indeed, we are blessed when persecution arise because that really shows that we are standing on the faith that we have in Jesus. Persecutions is the great opportunity to share the gospel to them because as what you have said they are blinded with the truth, nobody shares to them. And we Christian need to be strong knowing that our labor in the Lord is vain and we should not let persecutions hinders us from sharing the love of God.
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DeleteYour observations and knowledge about the nature of persecutions are all nice Allan. Indeed, I like it. But I suggest that you try looking for more on other angles of your life where persecutions may attack. This may help you be aware of the devil's ways and respond to it easily. Thus I hope this would help you enjoy your life's persecutions in knowing and dealing with its different faces. And enjoy the process of His sanctification. God bless.
DeleteI was raised in a Christian family and my mother was once persecuted by some atheist who actually work in the government. it was because my mother didn't low the price of our "okay-okay" item and he said to my mother "Mao na ang teaching sa inyung ginoo? dili mo kahibaw mo patawad?" so my mother holding her anger to that person she silently walk inside and told my father to entertain the person. what i saw is this: Christian hold their anger to those who persecute to them and they prayed, i saw my mother cried because of that words. she prayed and prayed that God will give her more strength to stand of his faith. that person who persecuted my mother verbally he said that "sigi dili mo mag patawad ako ni ipasara inyu tindahan nag trabaho bya ko sa BIR pwedi ko kamo kasohan" so it was a threat to our family because Okay okay was only supporting our daily needs. But my mother stayed stronger, she put her faith in God and never lose hope. its only by God's grace she endured.
ReplyDeletei really admire your mother Jay for being strong and to depend on God. She chose to be calm and prayed to God.
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DeleteThat's good of your mother jay. I hope that you too will stay the course till this life's fight is done. Furthermore, I like "ukay-ukay" and I want you to be like those "ukay-ukay" that whatever Ukays in your life may come, you would stay serving people like those clothes.
DeleteThere are many groups existing today and all of us has many differences. The belief that we are standing for is so very different. but as Christian a follower of Christ, how can we respond persecutions from other group? In Matt.5:11 it says, "God blesses you when people mock and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers" As Christian we should expect that persecutions will really comes our way, we cannot shun from it, bu the promise of the God is always alive, continue in verse 12 but "be happy about it! be very glad! for a great reward awaits you in heaven" I believe that those trials, pain, problems make us strong and stand firm from any persecutions we face.
ReplyDeleteNot just from other groups, but also in our government today. Many Christian having a hard time to have a job or being questioned of their beliefs. but despite of that God never stop working in our lives, so that we will arise and being light of this world.
As we can see now or heard from any news in tv, radio and social media many people are suffering. Especially in other county that experiencing pain and persecutions, We need to pray for everyone that we will be endure until the day that Jesus Christ will come and reign with us. Godbless!
Expecting persecutions. Thats must be in our minds that we may be able to be ready to stand our ground. God is with us, What can stand against?
DeleteIndeed that we should rejoice even persecution comes to our lives, because through this persecution it help us to be firm in our Christian faith.God is not blind not to see how we persevere in times of suffering, he really reward us from being firm of our faith. Because we chose Him rather than the world. I also agree to you sister that we should be the light of the world because we are different from them. We represent Christ not the world and be the light from their world of darkness. You said that we should pray, yes, prayer is the best weapon to help our fellow Christian.
DeleteJesus said that anyone who would follow him should be prepared to face persecutions. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ would most definitely be persecuted and mocked because of their faith. But Jesus also said that we must take heart because he has overcome the world.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the people who were called to Christ were handpicked because God knows that they would be able to stand in the midst of persecution. Christians should face and accept persecution as long as it is for Christ. In Jesus'sermon on the mount, he had said that the persecuted for his sake were blessed. Also, Jesus had been persecuted and even crucified for unworthy people like us. He chose to die for us, who are we to complain and escape persecution?
Other religious groups persecute us because of indifference to doctrines and beliefs, but it does not give us an opportunity or right to persecute them as well. They are also just standing up for their belief and their god. Instead of persecuting them, we should work to reach out to them that they may know the truth that we know. We were once gentiles who were out of the picture of God's salvation. In this generation, they are the "gentiles". And so let us reach out to them and expand the scope of salvation. Even the government at times may persecute christianity. Some would be banning the preaching and teaching of the Bible and Christ in schools. But this does not tell us to stop. Rather we should continue, but being watchful in obedience to the law and government since they were the ones whom God has placed above us. We are still blessed in the Philippines, as we are free to talk about our faith, preaching, reading the Bible, praying, and etc. in public. Let us use every opportunity we have, but still within the boundary of the law given to us.
Since there are different persecutions going on such as: speaking against us, bad-mouthing Christianity, faking Christianity, and others, let us be genuine and endure. Persevere under trial because we have the blessed hope that one day, He will wipe away every tear, no more death, grief, crying, and pain will no longer exist. Because by then, the previous things have passed away.
Well said Ms. Leones. Persecutions will always be on our backs as long as we are still in this cruel world. But there will come a time, all those persecutions will be just fade away. All we must do now, is just to stand firm to what we believe. Don't fall, do not stumble. Hold om to Him. Abide in Him.
DeleteFollowing Christ means facing whatever circumstances, trials, problems and persecutions in life that surely would come. In 2 Timothy 3:12, it gives us an idea on to which, choosing to live a Godly life. Will be persecuted in a way, that would hit all angles of our lives. Persecution must be accepted by Christians like us, knowing that the Bible tells it so. To answer how, So what? If we are persecuted. As it is said in Matthew 5. That blessed are those who are persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Well, for us. Christian response is that even though people or even the world, the whole world will persecute us, still we will stand firm on to what we believe in. We will not stumble nor fall, we will pray and ask God for help on how would I be a blessing to these people to whom, aslo is the receipient of His great love. I will endure and ask God for perseverance that we may not fall. And will always do what is the will of God and do our best to glorify His name.
ReplyDeletePersecutioms are everywhere, and in any forms. Today, there are a lot of forms that persecutiom can be and will be. Well, the advantage of being persecuted is we know that God that is living in us. Will never depart nor forsake us. Will never leave us crying and defeated. Thats the best part. So whatever it is, persecution or whatsoever. As long as we are on the right track. Then continue what youre doing.
Great response molds! You consider persecutions not totally an evil thing but a way for us Christians to be more closer to God. It is sad to know that there are still believers who get stumble in times of hardships. Your response is an encouragement for every child of God to trust and stand firm because our Father is stronger and powerful than anything else, even the most terrible persecution.
Deleteyeah nice response pastor! persecution is a test for our christian living. i like the idea that we should not stumble or fall in our faith in God even if the world will kill us. It is an encouragement for us today that even people will take our life, God will give us life eternally.
DeleteIndeed as we follow Christ we are now object of persecution in a different forms, but this expulsion could be a manifestation of God's greatness, and a channel for the persecutors to see what we believe and to believe in what we believe. Personally, persecution for me is gift that not every Christians wants to have, but as for me I would be glad having it because God promises that He will not let evil wins. Remember that the God we are serving is a victorious God. So, let us not be afraid to take the narrow road that leads to Heaven.
DeleteIndeed as we follow Christ we are now object of persecution in a different forms, but this expulsion could be a manifestation of God's greatness, and a channel for the persecutors to see what we believe and to believe in what we believe. Personally, persecution for me is gift that not every Christians wants to have, but as for me I would be glad having it because God promises that He will not let evil wins. Remember that the God we are serving is a victorious God. So, let us not be afraid to take the narrow road that leads to Heaven.
DeleteMajority of our churches here in the Philippines haven’t yet experienced great and terrible persecutions. In fact, our churches have the freedom to express our faith to anyone. But today there are a lot of religious groups who claimed to be the true church. Many of these groups are trying to destroy the image of Bible-believing evangelical Christians and testify that they have the right teachings and doctrines. So the question from above is how do we respond when these groups tries to attack us? What if these group will come into our home or personally approach us to test and tell us that what we believe is wrong? Apostle Peter already affirmed this by saying, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed” (2 Pet. 2:1-2 ESV). I think the best respond would be what Paul had told Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 ESV). “Rightly handling the word of truth” is the best strategy to defend what we believe from false heresies. Every churches today should encourage the members to have regular Bible studies, personal meditation, and Bible sharing with one another. I believe that it would serve as our weapons to guard our faith. Even persecutions from the government, the believer who is bounded with the truth of the Word will continue to deal maltreatments from higher authorities in a biblical way and perspective.
ReplyDeleteThe question, “Are there different forms of persecution in today’s society?” The answer would be definitely “Yes!” But these persecutions is much easier compare to what the early Christians from the past experienced (I’m referring to what I observed here in the Philippines). But we can’t deny the fact that some of today’s persecutions still hurts. These persecutions can be in the form of verbal abuse, hated by some people, iiwanan ka ng ilan sa mga kaibigan mo, and even persecutions that comes from your own family. So Jesus gave us an encouragement to “take heart”, He knows that “In the world [we] will have tribulation… [but He] overcome the world” (John 16:33). Take heart and trust because GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK!
As I look at it, we are indeed so lax with our Christian living. It is so painful to see how the young people in this generation failed to acknowledge the sufferings of the first Christians. Christians nowadays are motivated in going to church with nominal reasons. They forgot the essence of the salvation that Christ had purposefully given to each of us. Christians are save to serve as the common adage says, and we are ought to really live as Christ commanded us to do.
DeleteAs what the Bible say's, believers would respond with faith and prayers as what the early Christians did when they are persecuted, it must be accepted with a grateful heart because persecution is one of the tool that God uses to test and refine his children whom he loved.
ReplyDeleteit must be accepted with joy and patience because it is also one of the way to a Christian growth, and i affirm that those who experienced persecution will also received the grace of God in action.
On the other hand when persecution come from the government, Paul was given us the guidelines that we need to submit to the authority, not to be rebellious but in contrast we need to do the same do good to those who persecute us, then surrender and allow God to do the revenge.
Here in Cebu one of the major forms that the believers had experience was only the minor persecution like rejecting in the family because their children stop going to catholic church and transfer to Christianity. but in worldwide persecution maybe the beheading of the Christians by the ISIS was the most scary persecution i ever witness in this century.
Amen pastor, pray in all circumstances with thanksgiving heart even it is hard (1 Thess 5:17-18). It is hard for your to pray sometimes when we are in the persecution. We must put in mind that we should pray without ceasing. no matter what happen in our life, we are in persecution or not, we must pray that God will strengthen us very days of our christian life.
DeleteI appreciate your observations and knowledge about persecutions pastor. I hope you would not stop praying and building your perspectives in life. Use your God given gifts. God bless.
DeleteEnduring persecutions are vital to every human beings whether believer of Jesus or not. Everyone has their own say-Muslims, atheists, Buddhists-about their encounter of trials. Since no one is excluded with this, I'll narrow down my focus to Christianity.
ReplyDeleteBible characters that we adore suffered, from the Old to the New Covenant. Some were persecuted due to personal carelessness, others were being punished due to the sins of others and there were also persecutions intended specifically for spiritual growth. Christ is the unquestionable Ultimate model who endured persecution. Now, if you commit to wholly surrender your life in the hands of God then Christians are ought to prepare themselves to the upcoming and unpredictable persecution.
Since we are already convinced that this event for Christians is inevitable the we should have in mind weapons in responding persecutions. We are taught to be Christlike and in the first place we are created to be conformed like Him so as to answer the first question thrown, Christians should radiate Christ even when being persecuted. In a gentle, intelligent and wise manner Christians should always ask "what would Jesus do if put in this situation". Government is part of our society and we are commanded to obey because it is God who put them in the authority (Rom. 13). However, if it already ask you to blaspheme God and put your faith on test, then ask the "WWJD" question again.
Basically, its up to the person how he views his situation because petty things might already be a persecution to him but yes, it does come in many forms and again it depends upon the how the believer accepts his circumstance.
Yes lai, I agree you. persecution can help[ Christians grows in some aspect in life. Enduring the persecution can help is like your enduring in taking your exam. Even if it is hard, your finish it until the end. It is only a testing for our christian faith. Amen, soon to be Pastor's wife.
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ReplyDeleteChristians must expect persecutions in life. Jesus said "If anyone will come after me, Let Him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). The verse is telling that the one who want to follow Jesus Christ will be persecuted. Because the phrase "Take up His cross" means death. Cross in those time is symbolize death. Meaning a person who follow Christ will give up his life for the sake of Christ even the whole world will persecute him. Even it will end his life. Christians must response to trust God and let Him work in your life. He is the owner of it and the one who can save it for the purpose. God has a purpose in every persecution. Before in the history of the Church, it spread the gospel through out the world.
ReplyDeleteThe government will persecute us, we must hold on our faith in God and don't leave it. Pray and trust Him alone. The form of persecution for us today are came form our neighbor or family because we leave the religion of our father.
In the world today there are only 700 million Christians. They are the true Christians who are really devoted to their commitment in the service of Christ. Hence they are facing persecutions from different religions end even from their own brothers, since evil is in this world. Thereupon these attacks are are in every angles of their lives. Furthermore Christians have to respond to these correctly, especially in knowing its nature in order for them to be aware and learn the lessons which God wants them to have through letting such trial affect their lives.
ReplyDeleteThere are different religions that are larger than Christianity today. Indeed, persecutions comes not just to Christians but also to the opposing groups which we call the false cults. This may be the most visible persecution that most believers are concerned in the world today. In the Philippines, Christianity is the most popular religion, in fact it could be the largest. In the most part, persecutions are less in the sense of religion battles--churches attacking churches. Indeed, the real persecutions are mostly invisible in this sense--it happens inside the Church. It is internal and the respond should also be limited inside. Thus, there are differrrent forms of persecutions which I will be talking later. Generally speaking, Christians should respond to persecutions from other religions by just simply surviving firmly from it and staying the course.
The government somehow persecute Christians less in this days. But logically it is possible that someday the horror that our church fathers faced before will bounce back to us more stronger than then. Especially because we are in the world that is naturally evil. Thus demons have no other place to go since they are bounded together with our physical bodies in this physical world. Hence this persecution from the government may come, and all we can respond to it is to accept and make it as an opportunity to enjoy the process of His justification. Therefore, our living would be boring if we won't make it worth it.
Persecutions may dress differently as Satan does attack Christians in all angles. Indeed, Jesus who is the subject of our belief was also persecuted in 40 days. Accordingly, we may face persecutions as his followers in the image of temptations. Thus we may also encounter persecutions in the form of survival. Although they are relative, but without knowing this, we could not recognize what we are facing, and as a result, we could not respond to it.
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DeleteIndeed I also perceive that churches persecute each other, particularly evangelicals. Large denominations such as in the environment of Baptists persecute their own people socially. I have heard from a guy that Christians who lives in the mountainous areas seems to be lesser value than those who are residing in the cities. What I am writing here is realistic.
DeleteSad to say it is happening in this present age
Delete"Persecution" is not a foreign word for Christians who put their trust and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact persecution can be traced historically based on the biblical account of Jesus.In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says in the Beatitudes that persecution is a blessing. Not one that many of us ever desire! Jesus also defines the word for us in Luke 6:22 using four verbs. He says, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man." Note that it is Jesus in you who is the reason for and the target of persecution. To live in a world that is spiritually blind who sees different perspective often leads unbelievers to persecute those who believe in Christ. But, no matter what kind of mistreatment Christians experience they are gazing to the one and only person who enables them to have strength, hope, and might to endure expulsion.
ReplyDeleteOur government might mistreat Christians and insult them from their belief, but in Roman 13:1-7 it is stated here that "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God". I personally believe that God allow things to happen because He has purpose and He wants to accomplish something through it. But, this does not mean that Christians doesn't have any freedom to stand and depend their belief whenever they are attack by the enemy.
Persecution comes in a various ways it could be verbal provocation that leads to unfriendly feeling,physical torture, isolation, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, and even discrimination. Christian persecution is a result of ones description and identification in Christ.
I hope and I pray that every Christian has a clear understanding of whom they are following, and what it is to follow Christ.
He said in His words that He will bless those who are persecuted yet are not crushed.
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ReplyDeleteChristians persecution is a common issue in the world, even inside our home we can experience being persecuted. But as Christian we should take part on helping our fellow Christians from persecution. In the book of Acts 4:1-32, we can learn from the apostles and the believers how they handled persecution. Prayer is the weapon that we can use against persecution and prayer is best thing that we can do to take part on helping our fellow Christian. Jesus made a statement to warned the church regarding persecution (Jn 15:18-19). All who believes in Christ will undergo or experience persecution (II Tim. 3:12). That's why we should hate whatever it is that is in the world than to love the world as what John said "Love not the world..." (I Jn. 2:15).
ReplyDeleteIn the government, Christians should be submissive on the authority. Even they did something in evil way, we should not fought back evil against them. Instead to show love and care to them, as what Jesus showed to us. Though there will be killing, stealing and injustice happening, we should be a light to them. As what Jesus said, to be light in the world (Matt. 5:16) that they may see Christ within us. Paul also write in the book of Romans that we should “Overcome evil with good” (12:21). Therefore, don't fought back with evil instead to fought back with good.
It seems the same with the with the society today specially to those countries which prohibits Christianity.
We should face and endure persecution because the outcome of this is growth.
Yes, trulala. prayer is the best weapon.Fighting back to the one who commit bad is not good instead of doing that we can show love as what Christ did.
DeleteIn our context here in the Philippines, we may perceive persecutions not as what the other countries are experiencing right now. We can say that the persecution that is happening in our place is not really as powerful, forceful and it is much lighter than the others. Perhaps these persecution are from our parents, relatives or people around us who are really bitter about our christian lives. These people tend to critic us based on our beliefs which are different from them since some of them considered these beliefs as false. So we have this so called social persecution since it raises conflicts between two different parties and it affects close relationships such as within the family, relatives or even friendships. Though it is more on social aspect it can still affect the spiritual aspect of the one being persecuted so it affects both side of the person's life.
ReplyDeleteWhat if, much powerful, forceful, terrifying persecution that will fall upon us, How should we respond? In the first place we might get shocked because it is our first time to experience this. The answer to this question must be based on the Bible, both in the Old and the New Testament since it contains a lot of instances regarding persecution and how did the persecuted ones responded. It already started in the Old Testament a lot of God's people fell into persecution yet they continued to serve the Lord their God. As an example the prophet Elijah who was supposed to be killed by queen Jezebel continued his work as the prophet of God and tell the people that the one they are worshiping is not a true God. Another is the prophet Jeremiah who was beheaded because of his appeal to the people of Israel regarding the will of God for them. So these terrible persecutions are common before and if we look at on how they responded, they took the risk even if it would lead them to death. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ said to his disciples that they will be hated for his name sake. And so it happened. But before that, even Jesus Christ experience persecution. Such as, he was rejected by his family and by his home town and the worst thing, he was called insane. He himself experience persecution in his death where he was mocked, spitted, and crucified. The words that he told to his disciples became true even to the disciples of his disciples. Peter and John were imprisoned, Stephen was stone to death and later on Paul who was one of the Christians' persecutor, was converted and was also persecuted and killed because of his boldness in sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. There were some Christians who were persecuted during the time of Nero, where many of them were scattered in different places. Instead that Christianity will stop, it became phenomenal. These people were indeed martyrs for Christ. They strengthen their faith instead of weakening and rejecting it. They prayed instead of complaining to God because they know that the suffering that they are encountering is nothing compare to the glory that they will have when they will be with their Lord.
So how can I or you apply it today basing on the biblical instances? Persecutions are certain, it would really come. In our society we have the government who will persecute us. In our law, it says that there is a separation between the church and the state but there are still instances that the government will critic the church in many ways. Even our family, friends, relatives will persecute us. Some religions which claimed to be Christians will also persecute the true believers of Christ. Christians should be prepared by strengthening faith it because it really matters when these times come. Hopefully that when these circumstances come, we will look forward on our future condition with the Lord and not in this present world which is indeed full of pleasure but all in temporary condition.
Christian are those who are claiming that they received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. They are the people who believed that God is one but three distinct person. They are also following Jesus Christ's example while He was still here on earth. Jesus already told the Christian that following Him is not easy. Christian should also suffer.When the person decided to live with Christ he/she must always be ready. Because satan will attack anytime. Satan can use the other group/religion for the persecution of the Christian. But we need to know that the other group/religion is not our enemy Satan alone is our enemy in this world. Satan blinded them for what is real. When persecution will come from the other group/religion we should respond gently "a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all..." (2 Tim. 2: 24). We will pray for them and try to love them as He commanded to us to love, because God is love. But, if we cannot take it anymore because the persecution is too much to bear, cry out to the Lord because He hears us, He knew us, and He is fighting for us.
ReplyDeleteTalking about the persecution from the government is very difficult especially for those Christian workers who are working in the government. What if they will loss their job? What if they will all kill the Christian? Well they can do that because they have power, they can abuse it if they want. Remember also they govern the cities.
But we also need to remember even though they are handling our cities and govern everything, Christian must remember that the Lord is the one holding the earth. Leaders of the government are only human they will also die,like us. No one can escape. So, what we gonna do is to respond to the government gently and try to bow down our head and pray. Just like Daniel in the Old Testament instead of being mean to the people he just humble himself and trust the Lord. Jesus himself is our model; He himself submitted to the will of the Father. As Christian, we should submit and obey God's word which is not to retaliate when others persecute us.
There is no different form of persecution in today's society but it becomes worst. Why? Because as we noticed in our society as well as in other country they persecuted Christian even to the point of death.
Amen Lai. Christians must always ready in any persecution that we face in life as a followers of Jesus Christ. You have a good point saying that those who persecute us is not our enemy which is correct. Only Satan is our enemy. That is why they are under our obligation to tell them about the love of Christ to them. Christ died for all people including those who persecuted us. We must pray for them that God works in their hearts and open their hearts to the truth. God can change them in perfect time and in God's way.
Deleteyes, you are right alai leizel, that Satan will attack Christians anytime, the reason why, we Christian should be firm in our faith and hold on to our source of faith. the Son of our faith- Jesus Christ.
DeleteAlso you said that it is not easy to follow Jesus and your right again with that, it sounds ironic right in the song " there is joy in serving Jesus" it's true but then again it's hard so if you are really called by God you will really stand, rely on him and do not be led astray by any huge circumstances.
Following Christ did not promise us to live a happy life, without troubles, hardships or even persecution instead Christian was encourage to endure hardships in times of persecution. Being a Christian who live in Christ was very prone to persecution especially that we are not from this world but the Scriptures is telling us to pray in times of these situations. Yes, other groups/religions may persecute us because they think that what they have believe in is the truth, so we need to respond in Christlike manner, pray for them and trusting God to work in their lives. Nothing is impossible with God, even in the times of New to Old testament Bible,the more they persecuted the more they grew in number so Christian should stand of what we have believe in and take this opportunity to see them who really our God is. Persecution is not new to us as we look at our Bible, they face various kinds of it but they endure and rejoice even in the midst of pain. Following Christ demands to deny ourselves and as we live out a Christlike attitude there are some will not understand about it even our government they may persecute us because definitely they don't understand and they do not know the truth but it doesn't mean just because they persecute us we will not show respect to them remember that God is telling us to submit to them. In this case, we need to humble ourselves and let God's miraculous hands work in them.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed there are different kinds of persecution nowadays.When we will look at in the context of the Philippines, maybe some experience verbal abuse, rejected by their own family and even hurts by their loved ones or friends. God is encouraging us that we are blessed when persecution is arise and to take heart because he had overcome the world. We only need to stand with our faith as a worker who has no need to be ashamed to the word of truth. Christians be still and know that He is God who controls everything.
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ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that persecution will happen in a Christian life. but are we really called by God to just sit and wait for nothing or to stand and to do something for God. As a followers of Christ, we should stand on what we believed. In 2 Tim.3:12 says" everyone one who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". in this verse, Paul warned us that persecution is to be expected by Christians. instead of fighting back the persecutor,Christian must know to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it for God will judge who persecutes us.
ReplyDeletewhen the persecution comes from the government,Christian should know how to respond on it. we are commanded to submit all the authorities in our country but if there's something strange or something that is denying our Christian faith, we need to stand for Jesus even if it will cost our very own lives. we should remember this,"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake , for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven"(Matt.5:15).
Yes. there are different kinds of persecution in today's society. these are the following: put into prison(not true suspect), being shot and murdered. As we an see persecution really happen in reality. Jesus Christ reminded us to be still and be very glad for the great rewards awaits you in heaven. Don't be stumble just hold on to Him.
Mother, it seems like we have the same thought or introduction maybe (hahaha) and I didn't notice it at all. Well, I agree that even if we face different kinds of persecution we should not be stumble yet we should fix our eyes on Jesus for He is the perfecter of our faith.
DeleteYou're right nak. We should only focus our eyes on Jesus alone.
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DeleteWe can't deny the fact that, we will face a lot of challenges, opposition, and a lot more. Actually, some believers wrongly perceived that you'll experience easy life when you became Christians. It's so sad to think when time comes it didn't meet their expectations, they may stumble or back slide because it's not what they were thinking of. Truthfully, persecution was part in the Sermon of the Mount that was given by Jesus, which He says that blessed are those when others revile and persecute and utter all kinds of evil against falsely on our account. In contrary to our response as human, Jesus instructed us to rejoice and and be glad despite of, knowing that the world hated Him first before us.Assuredly, He had promised that great is our reward in heaven.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that some wrongly believe that following Christ leads to prosperity. And we can hear a lot about that. They did not pay attention to what Jesus is telling us. Following Him can mean no shelter. He emphasized that we are to live humble lives and contented in Him. He sure did promise blessings but not the blessings that the worldly and materialiatic mindset has. He even warned us about persecutions.
DeleteIt is true that some wrongly believe that following Christ leads to prosperity. And we can hear a lot about that. They did not pay attention to what Jesus is telling us. Following Him can mean no shelter. He emphasized that we are to live humble lives and contented in Him. He sure did promise blessings but not the blessings that the worldly and materialiatic mindset has. He even warned us about persecutions.
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ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that persecution is an absolute reality of living the Christian life. Christian persecution is to be expected: the apostle Paul warned that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that, if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute His followers (John 15:20). Jesus made it clear that those of the world will hate Christians because the world hates Christ. If Christians were like the world—vain, earthly, sensual, and given to pleasure, wealth, and ambition—the world would not oppose us. But Christians do not belong to the world. We are motivated by the love of God and holiness, while the world is driven by the love of sin. It is our very separation from the world that arouses the world’s bitterness. We must learn to value the persecution and even to rejoice in it, in a quiet and humble way. Even in the face of Christian persecution, we can press on. We can thank God for His grace and patience with us. We can express gratitude for those whom we love in the Lord and who stand with us in times of distress. And we can pray for those who would accuse, misuse, or abuse us (2 Corinthians 11:24; Romans 10:1). Hence, believers are to be model citizens, known as law abiding, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. We must speak against sin, against injustice, against immorality and ungodliness with fearless dedication, but we must do it within the framework of civil law and with respect for civil authorities. We are to be a godly society, doing good and living peaceably within an ungodly society, manifesting our transformed lives so that the saving power of God is seen clearly. Moreover, there are different forms of persecution yet one thing we should bare in our mind is that we must persevere in any kind of persecution for Jesus is always beside us, with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to what I said earlier, lots of Christian martyrs spilled their blood to fight to what they have believed in. I've learned many missionaries on other countries were imprisoned, tortured, or far worse, beheaded because the persecutors wanted them to recant or deny their faith. In relation to, I believed that it is no different nowadays. In a lot of ways, believers of Christ were also opposed and persecuted in their workplace, peers, or even their own respective families due to that. Well, if we look at the other directions, they may differ on its forms because some persecutions back then were brutal or inhumane like being crucified on the cross, eaten by the lions, made as a subject of entertainment, and some sort of. Well, I think now Christians might be sued by some like an atheist such as not signing their marriage license, gay-lesbian relationships specifically. In spite of, Jesus assured us to take heart---knowing that it's just temporary and great will be our reward in heaven of those who endure until the end of times comes, where Jesus will come again, risen on high.
ReplyDeletePersecutions sounds scary yet it will test a person if that person is really genuine or fake in his/her calling. We can heard a lot of news about Christians persecuted by other people and most of them died on their faith because they did not recant and they stood up for their beliefs. But how about if we are going to be in that same scenario. Are we going to deny and live or die with a firm faith in Jesus Christ. So how should Christians respond to persecutions from other people. For me, we should pray for them, we should be faithful to our calling and still love those people who persecuted us because that is the great commandment of God - to love our neighbors as thyself. We should be firm in our faith through reading the word of God, depending on his promises that he will comfort us and we can give our burdens to him. we should not have a grudge or hatred heart to those people or we should revenge because God has a plan for everything instead pray for their salvation. all of the things that I said is so impossible because how can we love those who hurt us when sometimes we cannot even forgive our friends who hurt us as well but we can only do it by the grace of God. It's also the same in the government if they will persecute the church then still do the same thing pray for them, love them and forgive them. For we know better and more than them. Persecution comes in many ways today, it could be in our family, social media and more that is stepping and hurting you because of your faith in Jesus Christ. But all we can do for now, is to hold on to God and pray, pray, pray.
ReplyDeleteIf there are persecutions, Christians should take it as a sign that Christ is really shown in his or her life. I mean Jesus assured us about persecution that we will really experience it if we follow Him. And we, Christians should be expectant of the coming persecutions. We should not hate them for doing that to us though it's really hard. We should love them even more. "Pagbinato ka ng bato, batohin mo ng tinapay" as the saying states. Jesus commanded us to love our "enemies" and Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray for those who persecute us.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible that the government will persecute Christians through debying privileges and rejecting government applications and requests due to our faith. But the Philippine government is separate from any religion. Both can't control both. Since it is so, then I should stand on my ground that I have the right to be in a position in any legal matters. But if they insist, then I will just lie low. I won't give them any hint to critize Christians because of my attitude. They usually generalize, you know. Same is true, I will still pray for them.
I have observed that there are various forms of persecutions.Even the strangers can persecute you. Like Christian celebrities, they are bashed, scandalized and unfollowed because of their faith. And your unbelieving friends too. They label you with many kinds of "holy" titles not to appreciate you but to embarrass. Still, we are to be heads up and happy because they see a difference in us. It means that we are truly being a light to them.
If there are persecutions, Christians should take it as a sign that Christ is really shown in his or her life. I mean Jesus assured us about persecution that we will really experience it if we follow Him. And we, Christians should be expectant of the coming persecutions. We should not hate them for doing that to us though it's really hard. We should love them even more. "Pagbinato ka ng bato, batohin mo ng tinapay" as the saying states. Jesus commanded us to love our "enemies" and Apostle Paul encouraged us to pray for those who persecute us.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible that the government will persecute Christians through debying privileges and rejecting government applications and requests due to our faith. But the Philippine government is separate from any religion. Both can't control both. Since it is so, then I should stand on my ground that I have the right to be in a position in any legal matters. But if they insist, then I will just lie low. I won't give them any hint to critize Christians because of my attitude. They usually generalize, you know. Same is true, I will still pray for them.
I have observed that there are various forms of persecutions.Even the strangers can persecute you. Like Christian celebrities, they are bashed, scandalized and unfollowed because of their faith. And your unbelieving friends too. They label you with many kinds of "holy" titles not to appreciate you but to embarrass. Still, we are to be heads up and happy because they see a difference in us. It means that we are truly being a light to them.