There were a couple of comments I wanted to make regarding Christian Persecution. A couple of things I find to be somewhat overlooked in conversation today.
But let's talk about persecution as we experience it today.
For most of us (at least most of you reading this), we don't really experience persecution. This, I believe, is for two reasons.
1. We live in a wonderful part of of the world that allows us to worship, or not worship, as we see fit. North America is truly free in regards to freedom of worship.
Sure, we have talking heads on every news channel with an opinion on what is right or wrong regarding the presence or absence of God in various institutions (school, government, work-place, etc.). There are name-calling activists in every camp. But Christopher Hitchens, or whoever, is probably not knocking on your door and hitting you in the face, shooting your child, and taking your Bible.
2. We don't talk about God very often.
We don't want to offend people. We think, well, I'm not going push my ideas on anybody. I'll let them learn through a relationship with me. I agree. They ("they" being the person who does not share your Christian worldview) should learn that way. Your life should testify to the greatness and glory of God.
But so should your voice. Your voice should be the primary means of spreading the Gospel. Your voice should be trained to boldly speak the truth of God in any appropriate situation. I say "appropriate situation" because there are times when it would be disrespectful. An argument with a co-worker about the next project proposal would be a bad time. Gentleness and respect is the key. And when I say "key" I don't just mean that gentleness and respect will illicit the best response (though it will), I mean that God is most glorified through right-actions. Gentleness and respect is the key to glorifying God in conversation.
So if we're being vocal about our faith in a gentle and respectful way, regularly in our lives, we may encounter backlash. Name calling. Contempt. You may get shunned. Not Invited. Excluded.
But you are not alone.
And this is what I want to talk about. Communion by persecution.
Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman said a few things that caught my attention regarding this section of 1 Peter 4.
"Every Christian following in (Christ's) steps can expect abuse and affliction for His sake...Rather than be surprised or bewildered, persecuted Christians should practice joy....The basis for this joy is not the persecution itself, but participation and bonding with Christ...In their suffering God's children experience His presence, not His absence." (italics mine)
I found this to be v
ery encouraging. When we are mocked for ourstupid,
un-scientific,
intolerant,
fun-hating,
societal non-conforming,
sexually inexperienced,
boring,
trite,
uneducated,
devolved,
troglodyte ways...
we are suffering with our Saviour. When we are shunned by the world, we are accepted by Him. When a Christian meekly presents the truth about God and is laughed at, Yahweh is present. You may be alone, but you are never alone. Your suffering increases your closeness to Christ.
So count it all joy.
