Persecution 2

19“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21“But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23“He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24“If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25“But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’  John 15:19-25

We are living in a time when the majority of people actually do not know right from wrong. Acceptance and permissiveness is the order of the day.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Is. 5:20

I will not sit in a home where the two year old rules the family and gets its own way by treating the parents with disrespect. The child will never respect the parents because of the permissiveness given to the child. I have heard parents say, “don’t do this junior; ok?”  They ask permission to correct or for the child to stop misbehaving and of course that never works. The child will keep rebelling, wanting the parents to care enough to sit on him if that is what it takes to correct him and when that still does not happen; he winds up in the hands of the law finally getting the correction and discipline he craved from the beginning.

Any Christian that points out these unhealthy traits to someone who cannot see what they are doing will be told off in no uncertain terms!  

Hollywood uses the by-words “not to judge.”  I do not believe in judging either, because I believe what people do is their business, to a point.

However, if you saw someone that was heading for a train wreck, would you care enough to warn him? I ask you, is it not a kindness to tell someone where they are going wrong and what they can do about it? I wish someone had cared enough to sit me down when I was foolish, young and brainless while sowing a bunch of wild oats to tell me I was headed in the wrong direction. It is a kindness to correct someone. That isn’t judgment but common sense to try to prevent another from destruction.

Jesus taught all of these values because he cared for those who he was speaking to. He saw where their hearts were leading them and said something about it. Because of that, he was persecuted and crucified.  

Today, we call that judging. In fact, if we say the slightest thing it is termed as judging.

Because of this, there are those who are ruining their lives because of the acceptance of perversities that are termed as normal. Should a Christian speak up, they are called to the carpet to be quiet, sued or be put in prison! 

That is persecution and it is only beginning.

Strong's Concordance

diógmos: persecution

Original Word: διωγμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: diógmos
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ogue-mos')
Short Definition: persecution
Definition: chase, pursuit; persecution.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1375 diōgmós (from 1377 /diṓkō, "follow, pursue") – properly, pursuit (chase); persecution – literally, "the hunt to bring someone down like an animal," trying to suppress (punish) their convictions. See 1377 (diōkō).

1375 /diōgmós ("religious persecution") literally refers to those seeking to punish God's messengers with a vengeance – like ahunter trying to conquer (obliterate) someone as their "catch."

[1375 (diōgmós) is used in ancient and biblical Greek forpersecution (hostility) shown by confused, spiritual "leaders." For example, it applies to the Roman Emperor, Decius (ad 250-251). He killed thousands of Christians who refused tooffer sacrifices in his name.]

If I live in the forest, I will get used to all the trees around me and because of that I will not necessarily see how fast they grow. In fact, I may not even notice the ant hill between a few trees or some new shrubs over in the pasture; simply because I live there. I’ve gotten used to the familiarity of my surroundings in my comfort zone.

Could this be a similar effect of what is happening to some of us today? Since the world says that living together before marriage is alright and there are scores of movies about this lifestyle, it must be ok. In reality, doesn’t Hollywood have the final say in our nation? Have we not watched these movies and become accustomed to it, thus; giving our own stamp of approval, while staining our hearts at the same time?

And, if there are filthy words in the movie or nudity, if we watch a little bit; it won’t hurt us right? I thought we were supposed to guard what we put into our hearts because it is a wellspring of life.

But, if we speak against it, we get responses such as: “Grow up!  We are in the 2000’s now and anything goes! Besides, we have our rights.” Or, “don’t judge.”

What does the God of the Bible say?

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men.”

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 1Co 6:9, 18.

I believe Christians are to stand up for the righteousness of Christ. The works of darkness stand up for their rights. This doesn’t mean we go around pointing fingers or casting stones.

I am simply quoting the Bible.

 1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Ga. 6:1,2

If we can help someone come back into the Body of Believers, in the spirit of gentleness we will have fulfilled the law of Christ. But, we are to help them, because we care and love them. We are to have compassion and empathy when we see a person that has been caught up in any kind of bondage. If of course, they want help.  We are to remember how far the Lord Himself has brought us out of the muddy pit.

Many Christians are persecuted, not because of their holiness but because of their religiosity. Some have a form of holiness but have never really been born again. The pride of that comes from their own self-righteousness will overpower any well meaning intentions.

In the end, everyone must examine themselves, our own hearts and where we honestly stand with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We must ask ourselves if we honestly believe in the shedding of the blood of Christ who was the perfect sacrifice, taking away our sins. Believers must ask themselves how much they believe and how would they respond if physical persecution upon the church happened right here in our own nation over night ?

Are you ready?

Will you care enough to warn others? Will you care enough to pull someone from the pit? Will you care enough to give answers to those who are thirsty?

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.' Ezekiel 33:6

 I have tried not to think about that above verse, but we cannot take it away. I exhort those who have cared enough to read this, to speak up and be that trumpet blower. Our lives are like a simple blink of the eye. Today, you have been forewarned.

Choose who you will serve today.

Jesus Christ gave his life so that you could have one. He took your place upon the cross to set you free from the curse. There was a covenant of Grace given to all those who believe that He is Lord. His blood was shed for the remission of our sins. The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Not one of us can come to the altar without the sprinkling of blood upon us. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior we have that blood sprinkled all over us! We confess our sins and repent and choose to be born again. Time is short. Jesus will be coming back and the Bible further says that every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord. If we do not do it now, we will later and then, it will be too late.

Lets pray:

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for my sins (name them). I am so sorry for running from you. I ask that your son Jesus would come into my life and make me a new person. I choose to repent and ask for your help. Steer me in the right direction and send me your people to guide me with my growth. Thank you Lord. Amen.