Persecuted Christians

Persecuted Christians

When we examine the issue of persecuted Christians around the world, we realize how dangerous it is to believe in Jesus Christ.

Fifty countries have been identified as places of persecuted for Christians.  North Korea is at the number one spot, with between 50,000-70,000 imprisoned for their stalwart faith in Christ.  These individuals have found themselves locked away with prison camps.  For those still “free” they have no food and are always looking over their shoulders as they are aware that the government sends spies to search for believers.  Constant fear is the way of life for these faithful believers.

Afghanistan comes in at number five.  Christians with an Afghan nationality come from a Muslim background and should they be found to following “the way” are severely mistreated and ultimately killed for their faith.

An average of 180 Christians are killed each month for their faith.  Take a moment and think about that number.  It is the just a few more than the average church in America!  Most are persecuted by Islamic extremists.

In March of this year, a video was released by ISIS declaring war on “THE CROSS” as twenty one Christians are beheaded.  How would you fare should this come to America?

Now that’s the world, but how about what is happening on American soil.  We may not be persecuted to death, but we are being persecuted for our faith in Christ alone.  Anti-Christian sentiment is growing at breakneck speed as reported by Charisma News.  The Family Research Council and Liberty Instituted reported-in Charisma News-there were 600 cases of persecuted Christians las year compared to 1,200 this year alone.

The list is long and disturbing regarding those who have been marked for persecution, but three stood out to me:

A college student is asked to remove her cross during student orientation, so are not to offend an incoming freshmen class.

An Air Force Senior Master Sargent got in trouble when asked by a commanding officer (please read “asked” as “commanded”) to answer how he felt about gay marriage.

NFL running back Craig James was booted from FOX News because of his firm beliefs in Christ.

It appears the First Amendment rights are at stake at the junction in American history.  Instead of being protected, Christians are being targets for discrimination, treated with hatred and as the enemy.

Here is a question we must all ponder: If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  Are you living in such a way that you would be held for the cause of Christ and persecuted for your faith?

Now we are seeing Churches being attacked for the cause of Christ!  In Charleston, nine people died during a prayer meeting; gunned now by an extremist; in Memphis a church was shot at during a Wednesday night Choir practice; in Richmond a knife-wielding man disrupted a prayer vigil for the Charleston church.  And on we go!

What are we to do?  When the foundations are being eroded and faith is called into question, what are we to do?

In Ephesians 6, we read:

“Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19-20 HCSB)

This section of scripture comes on the tail end of Paul’s admonition to “Take up the full armor of God.”

 “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.” (Ephesians 6:10-17 HCSB)

Ending these clothing requirements for the believer, the old Apostle sounds the alarm, requiring that we pray.  Pray at all times, pray without ceasing, and when you think you have prayed enough, you best pray some more.  This is the best and proper way to live the life of Christ.  Stay in constant communication with Him.

There is also a few other things I would add to that requirement.  In a world of persecution we must live…

FAITH

When you open the Bible, God’s Holy Word, to the book of Hebrews, particularly chapter eleven, you will read:

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.” (Hebrews 11:1-3 HCSB)

Among those precious words you find example after example of men and women who lived a life in faith in difficult, troublesome times.  There is Abraham, Moses, David, Noah, Rahab; all examples of a life lived for God.  Devoted to the call of God on their lives.

These are our examples, listed in “The Hall of Faith.”  They remind us that faith carried them and will carries us through and into eternal life.

FIRM

In 1 Corinthians 15, we read:

“Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 HCSB)

This reminds me of what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!” (Matthew 7:24-27 HCSB)

How can we be firm in a world that is turning soft and seems to be falling into the abyss?

I firmly believe that the church is a place to find what we need for daily living.  When I talk about the church, I am not focusing on a building of mortar and rocks, but I am talking about people of flesh and blood.  The church is the body of Christ!  We ought to not forsake the assembly of believers where we learn and grow; are encouraged and spend time with other believers who are experiencing the same struggles and heartaches we are in our lives. (Acts 2: 41-47)

Daily we who call ourselves by the name of Christ should live out of beliefs in the public square.  Others should not see us, but Christ in us.  We should be out in the world, being salt and light; making a difference in the world.  What we do in the church house we should do in the public square.

Yet, above all be humble.  It was Christ who is our ultimate guide. He lived in such a way that others marveled at His life.  Oh, that others would see me and think of Him.

FINAL

James writes:

“Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!” (James 5:7-9 HCSB)

God’s reward for loving Him and living with Him is eternal life.  One day, our greatest desire to hear the words of the Father say, “Well done, thou God and faithful servant…”

For we will escape the temporal bonds of this life of struggle and trouble and turmoil to be with Him for all of eternity.  It is there, where there will be no pain, suffering, sickness or death, sorrow or tears (Revelation 21), we will be with the Father and the Son.  Oh, that will be glory for me.

Until then, I will live for Jesus who died for me!

Praise the Lord!

(This was a message by Dr. Jeff Fuller at Rockford Baptist Church on June 21, 2015 during the Sunday morning service.)