Persecution.
It's a difficult concept to swallow, and one that we try to avoid thinking about all together, especially as Americans. Here we are, comfortable Americans with no real pressure to recant our faith and especially no physical risks.
We believe what we want, how we want, and when we want.
Church? It's kind of just there when we need it.
The Bible? Eh, we can turn there whenever we're feeling blue.
Fellow believers? Oh, they're cool cause they believe the same thing as us.
Evangelism? Aw how cute. Telling people about Jesus.
Discipleship? That's cool.
Seriously though. This is the attitude floating around the American Christian community.
On the other spectrum, here is how the persecuted church views these very same things:
Church! Difficult to get to, but a privilege when we are able to meet.
The Bible! Our lifeline. We'll do anything to hear it, to read it, to speak it, to talk about it, to share it.
Fellow Believers! Our family. Our support system. Our cherished brothers and sisters who share our chains and run the same race as us.
Evangelism! We can't stop. How can we know about Jesus and not share it? How can we know the truth and keep it to ourselves? It's just natural and part of who we are.
Discipleship! Essential for the church to survive. Growth of the future leaders so that the church will flourish and spread.
Well, right now, there are a myriad of Christians all over the world who are currently under extreme persecution because of the sole reason that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
We hear this, and we get clammy.
Well, folks, the persecuted church is doing something right.
I'm not saying we're not absolutely blessed by the fact that we can openly share our faith and meet with other believers without any sort of penalty in the U.S.
We are blessed.
But do we care?
Today, one man who is currently on my heart is Pastor Saeed. However hard it is to understand, through his persecution, millions of people are hearing the gospel through his story.
As the apostle Paul says in his letter to the church at Philippi (he's writing this while he's in prison for his faith):
Through one believer's courage comes the boldness of a church. Through sacrifice comes salvation.
Please take a moment to pray for Pastor Saeed today.
For more information on Pastor Saeed and the persecuted church:
http://savesaeed.org/
http://www.persecution.org/
It's a difficult concept to swallow, and one that we try to avoid thinking about all together, especially as Americans. Here we are, comfortable Americans with no real pressure to recant our faith and especially no physical risks.
We believe what we want, how we want, and when we want.
Church? It's kind of just there when we need it.
The Bible? Eh, we can turn there whenever we're feeling blue.
Fellow believers? Oh, they're cool cause they believe the same thing as us.
Evangelism? Aw how cute. Telling people about Jesus.
Discipleship? That's cool.
Seriously though. This is the attitude floating around the American Christian community.
On the other spectrum, here is how the persecuted church views these very same things:
Church! Difficult to get to, but a privilege when we are able to meet.
The Bible! Our lifeline. We'll do anything to hear it, to read it, to speak it, to talk about it, to share it.
Fellow Believers! Our family. Our support system. Our cherished brothers and sisters who share our chains and run the same race as us.
Evangelism! We can't stop. How can we know about Jesus and not share it? How can we know the truth and keep it to ourselves? It's just natural and part of who we are.
Discipleship! Essential for the church to survive. Growth of the future leaders so that the church will flourish and spread.
Well, right now, there are a myriad of Christians all over the world who are currently under extreme persecution because of the sole reason that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
We hear this, and we get clammy.
Well, folks, the persecuted church is doing something right.
I'm not saying we're not absolutely blessed by the fact that we can openly share our faith and meet with other believers without any sort of penalty in the U.S.
We are blessed.
But do we care?
Today, one man who is currently on my heart is Pastor Saeed. However hard it is to understand, through his persecution, millions of people are hearing the gospel through his story.
As the apostle Paul says in his letter to the church at Philippi (he's writing this while he's in prison for his faith):
Through persecution, the gospel is furthered.
Through one believer's courage comes the boldness of a church. Through sacrifice comes salvation.
Please take a moment to pray for Pastor Saeed today.
For more information on Pastor Saeed and the persecuted church:
http://savesaeed.org/
http://www.persecution.org/
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