Tomorrow we jump into the first chapter of Hebrews. Remember the author’s purpose is to help his readers stand firm in the face of persecution and not turn their backs on their superior Savior.
We may not face beatings, imprisonment, or the confiscation of our property, but if we follow Christ in complete obedience the world will not like it.
What forms of persecution have you suffered because of your faith? In what ways has the world rejected you because of your obedience to Jesus?
I work in a multi-cultural environment. I work with people of different faiths, so the name of God (or gods) is really not the issue, but when you mention Jesus some people tighten up. But I have not really felt persecution in a sense that someone forbids me to mention the name of Jesus. I also have a cross hanging in my little cubicle 🙂 Maybe one day God will give me opportunity to share the store of the cross and what it stands for.
Something funny happened during this past Christmas season. Many of my co-workers added to their signature tag ‘Happy Holidays’ in red/green. Well, I added ‘Merry Christmas’ to mine and I noticed that some of my co-workers got bold too and changed to ‘Merry Christmas’. I think that we can witness without being in people’s faces, subtle and gentle.
Iris, your bravery gave others courage! This time “Merry Christmas” next time the cross!
I have felt persecution at times but not in the way the Jewish Christian did. However, recently my husband participated with a mission trip to the Dominican Republic helping set up an orphanage for victims of the earth quake in Haiti. He was part of the group that was detained and arrested in Haiti. Thank God he was one of the people left behind in the Dominican Republic to prepare the orphanage. The other part of the group who went over to Haiti with all of the correct paperwork I might add were arrested and kept for some time. While the Haitian government and the american media told lies about them. My husband and several other left the Dominican Republic just in time as lies were spreading there also. So yes even today Christians suffer and are persecuted but to my Husband and my friends it was not in vane! We may never know the reasons for what happened but we trust that God will accomplish good from it!
Lee Ann, I am so sorry about what your husband experienced in Haiti. And you are right. God will use it for His purposes!