Persecution
18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 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. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: A 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. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: They hated me without a cause.
John 15:18-20 (ESV)
When most people read this passage they think of all the religious persecution Christians have faced over the years. From ancient Rome up through modern day China, Christians have always faced persecution in some form, whether it be governments or other religions.
Not to discount those persecutions – I can’t begin to describe the level of respect and admiration I have for those who, in the face of death still cling to their faith in God. But this morning when I woke up, there was one question on my mind: What group, more than any other, persecuted Jesus?
What if Jesus, seeing as He is God and knows the future, were trying to tell us not that the world (as in unbelievers), but the world (as in all those around us) would hate and persecute us?
Think about it – if you’re a Christian in a Muslim nation, of course your persecutors will be Muslim; you’re surrounded by them!
But if you’re a Christian in a Christian nation…… a nation where, especially in certain areas, everyone is a Christian…… who will be your persecutors?
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Luke 11:15-18 (ESV)
Christians.
We talked about this a few weeks ago at bible study (which I miss seeing you at btw)
And I said the same thing. Our mind automatically thinks torture and jail in a foreign nation, which happens often, but i think when Jesus was saying rejoice when you are persecuted (sermon on the mount) he was referring to everyday persecution. Which should be our everyday goal. I dont mean look for ways to pick arguments per say, I just mean that if we are persecuted we must be doing something right… right? =]
And usually the first place we get persecuted from is from people who claim to be christians, and dont see eye to eye with us.
Me likey.
Glad you likey.
Dude, No comment on your topic just thought I'd tell you I love the name"religion sucketh" that about sums it up.
Thanks!
I just got of the phone with my 70 ish mother who feels she is being religiously persecuted by the people who live in her elderly high rise and the govenment of course. I just have a question for anyone out there. Do I have to agree with my mother even when she is mentally insane? She says the demons are all around her disguised as people, they steal from her, they damage her car, and they cause others to not except her beliefs. ( She has no friends or family that ever come around because she is crazy). Has anyone heard of any religious psychosis in the elderly? Help!!!!!!