A Can of Worms (Part one)

Persecution: hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs.
persistent annoyance or harassment.

Have you ever been a victim of any kind of persecution? Have you harassed anyone because of their race, political or religious beliefs?

Have bullied or been bullied simply because in some way you were different from other people?

It is no secret that persecution exists. If we dare open our mouths about our Christian beliefs on most any platform, we usually find we have opened a can of worms. Or worse. In America, on which this great country of ours was founded because there were people who were fighting for religious freedom, we who are Christians can barely speak the name of Christ in public without being verbally and sometimes physically attacked for it. Many have lost their lives due to it.

But should we be surprised about it? No. Persecution goes way back in history. Take a look at what Wikipedia has to say about it:

The persecution of Christians can be historically traced from the first century of the Christian era to the present day. Early Christians were persecuted for their faith at the hands of both Jews from whose religion Christianity arose and the Romans who controlled many of the lands across which early Christianity was spread. Early in the fourth century, a form of the religion was legalized by the Edict of Milan, and it eventually became the State church of the Roman Empire.

Christian missionaries, as well as converts to Christianity, have been the target of persecution ever since the emergence of Christianity, sometimes to the point of being martyred for their faith.

The schisms of the Middle Ages and especially the Protestant Reformation sometimes provoked severe conflicts between Christian denominations to the point of persecuting each other.

In the 20th century, Christians have been persecuted by various groups, including the Islamic Ottoman Empire in the form of the Armenian Genocide, the Assyrian Genocide and the Greek Genocide, as well as atheistic states such as the Soviet Union and North Korea. During World War II members of some Christian churches were persecuted in Nazi Germany for resisting Nazi ideology.

In more recent times, the Christian missionary organization Open Doors(UK) estimates that over 200 million Christians face persecution, particularly in Middle Eastern countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.^[1][2]

And it goes on. Day after day. Week after week. Year after year in the US, where if anything, we have a right to how we believe, just as those that don't even believe in God, have theirs.

Again, we should not be surprised. There are many scriptures that deal with it.  

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake." Mathew 24:9

For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. Luke 13:19

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. Mathew 24:21

Scary stuff, huh? I would be telling you a lie if I said it isn't scary to me. Because these are not the only verses that deal with this subject. Oh no. There are many more. 

And so what is the answer for you and I for today, in trying to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ?  Do we slink away? Be ashamed? Hide our beliefs to seemingly join those that would otherwise ridicule us, but believe "in secret."

Come back Monday for the answers to those questions. Tomorrows blog will be on Father's Day.

I am happy you have spent this time on my blog, because I know you are busy and could be doing other things. Thanks for coming by. I hope to see you back tomorrow. God bless!

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