Handling "Persecution"

Building off of last week's post of living for God's glory and not looking to compare our lives with anyone else, we're gonna get resistance to that - to living completely for Jesus. From Satan, definitely from the world, and sometimes even from those closest to us. 1. From Satan, because he doesn't want us to be sold out for the Lord. He doesn't want us committed to living for God alone, because when we're a warrior in God's Kingdom, we won't be living for Satan. So, he's going to place doubts in our mind to make us wonder if it's really worth it to live for Jesus, if we're a true christian, if God is even real.

2. From the world (anyone who hasn't accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior), because the world is under the influence of Satan. In a way the world doesn't know any better than the sinful lifestyles and choices they make each day. Without a relationship with Christ, we will only live our lives for ourselves, even if that means tearing other people down.

3. From our friends and family because they might not be at the same part of their walk with God. We might be seen as too strict when they just wanna have a little fun. We might get teased or mocked and called silly for wanting to live every moment for God.

So, what do we do?

• There are two different "levels" of persecution we might face. In many countries in the world, people are beaten, put in jail, and even killed for their faith in Jesus. Here in America it's not like that... at least yet. When we stand up for what is right, for the truth, for Jesus, we're often going to be teased, mocked, shut out. It hurts. And we can share what we're feeling with God. But it's important for us to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world who are being truly oppressed for their faith in Jesus. We should be praying for strength and joy for them as they face these horrible hardships.

• Persecution shouldn't surprise us. Romans 12:2 calls us to not be conformed (to be similar or identical) to the world. It's just human nature to be uncomfortable with different. And then add the Enemy's influence to the world, of course they're gonna think Christians are weird. We're living by a different standard, one that looks restraining to fun and pleasure. But in reality when we surrender to Jesus He fills us with more joy than we can hold in.

• In all we do, we need to walk with humility. Aside from the grace of God, we're no different than any unbeliever. The only thing that is different as a Christian is, we’ve accepted and received God’s grace and now He is making us more into His image. So, we can't judge someone who truly doesn't know any better, who hasn't let the Holy Spirit into their hearts, who's eyes haven't been opened to a new way of living. This is why we need to walk in love and share the Good News with anyone we can. Without Jesus they have no hope for eternity and no hope for the struggles we all face in daily life.

Don't compromise when God gives you a conviction! Even if you're going to be treated differently.

Here are a few verses to encourage you when you do face persecution for your faith in God. Remember that Jesus is King and He will always be in control!

Matthew 5:10

John 15:19

John 16:33

1 Peter 4:12-14