In today's society we are often being persecuted as Christians. You can turn on the news, read on the internet, or open a newspaper and read about Christians being murdered in other countries. You may initially think "gad that is not here", well I agree that maybe Christians aren't being murdered here. However, Christians are being persecuted daily regardless of where they live.
Christians read books, see moves, listen to music, and even say things that make God cringe. However, some are quick to judge because "I am a Christian, and they aren't so I am better". Sorry to inform you but you are wrong. We are all broken people, we all have sin, and we all have a chance to change our lives.
Last year in my home county there was a huge debate over gay marriage because a magistrate was forced to resign when he voiced his religion to the judges stating that he couldn't preform a marriage. Some came out saying it was his job so it didn't matter what his religious beliefs were. Some said it was just a political stunt. Some came out supporting him and some came out against him. Can you guess which side Christians were on? Actually there were on all sides. I saw Christians who strongly voiced their opinion against gay marriage attacking Christians who came out supporting this man. I heard Christians talking bad of other Christians based on their standpoint on this topic. The most shocking part for me were the Christians persecuting other Christians. Name calling, hateful words, mean actions, and shocking comments. You may think this isn't persecution of Christians so lets look at the definition.
Persecution - hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs
To be persecuted doesn't mean you are killed, doesn't mean you are caused bodily harm, it means the treatment. Do you think you win anything by persecuting fellow Christians? Maybe you gain pride, stance in your group of friends, and maybe gain acknowledgement from others. However, you do not gain from God.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
Notice it doesn't say will persecute but instead says will be persecuted? When a Christian is persecuted we can take that and glorify God. We have to stop persecuting each other. If we see a fellow Christian hurting we hurt with them, if we see them rejoicing we rejoice with them, but we should never persecute each other.
Due to persecution Christians have become quiet. We don't want to mention God and upset someone, don't want to end a friendship by talking about God, and don't stand up when other Christians are being persecuted. This has to stop because we are to share the joy of God, we are to lead others to Him, and help each other. We have to speak up, talk about God, and join together with other Christians.
Imagine walking into a church for the first time and you hear two in the church talking about another church member. Imagine walking into a restaurant and hearing people gossiping about someone, and then you realize they are gossiping about their preacher. Maybe you hear people talking about someone and then see them sitting next to each other at church. What are they showing you? There is a longer list of what they are not showing you verses what they are showing you. the first thing on the list is that they are not showing you how a Christian should behave.
We have to be conscience of what we say and what we do because the world is waiting for us to act unchristian so they can use that as evidence against us. We are all human and we all mess up. However, we can use those moments as teaching moments for others. We can explain how we are sinners, but we have a God that forgives ALL of us! We can't go around acting like we are perfect, because we aren't. If you ask non-churchgoers why they don't go to church many will tell you it is full of hypocrites. How true is that? You may say no it isn't. However, it is sad that we act as if we are perfect and don't sin.
I challenge you to a couple of things 1) do not persecute other Christians but instead pray for them and step up for the ones being persecuted 2) do not act as if you have never sinned because all of us have and by pretending that we haven't we do become a hypocrite.
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