Persecution

We had an interesting conversation in our adult Sunday school class.  How at risk are we willing to go for the furtherance of the Gospel?  How much persecution have we prepared ourselves for?

We were discussing 2 Timothy 2:12. The verse reads, Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  Not exactly a future you want to run toward.  However, we already see it happening.

Christianity is becoming less and less popular.  We’re already seeing the fallout. We’re seeing people being fired from their jobs, sued, called names, kids being bullied for their faith.  We sheepishly confessed that in many instances we have opted to just be quiet at work; to avoid conflict and out of fear of possibly losing our jobs. 

Refined by Fire

However, Mitch shared a quote from Allie Beth Stuckey, author, and Christian commentator.  She said, “What we’ve seen throughout history is that the church of Jesus Christ, [is that] it thrives in the margins, that the church is refined by fire – it is not destroyed by fire.  And if we look throughout the centuries, that is where the Gospel has been spread and God has been most glorified….” 

I’ve been noodling about that quote since that day and I think she’s right. The Church is at her best when united in purpose. And Christ will not allow His Church – His Bride – to fall. We do not need to be afraid.

However, we cannot stick our head in the sand either. We need to recognize the handwriting on the wall.  Not to acknowledge it is to not be prepared for the persecution to come. 

But we also know how it ends.  Jesus wins.  So, regardless of our sacrifice, regardless of what we are called to do, our reward will be eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.