Persecution



The deputy escorted one inmate to be evaluated for an injury he sustained to his left eye. He was housed with another mate who has a different race than his.

There was some contusion on that area, marked by swelling and ecchymosis and a small superficial laceration was visible on the upper lid.

“What happened, Sir?”

“I don’t know, Ma’am. I guess I fell with my face flat on the floor.”

“Hmmm. Were you sleeping then woke up or was dizzy?”

“No, Ma’am.”

“If you fell flat on your face, Sir, just wondering why there was no injury to your nose which is more prominent than your eye areas? Are you sure that no one had hit you because if you let me know, I can ask for an appropriate help from the deputy.”

“I don’t know, Ma’am. ...I fell. That’s all.”

Despite the sign of trauma that someone had assaulted him, this inmate was scared to tell the truth. Most of the time, even after altercations, no one wants to say anything against the aggressor, for fear of more assault and a threat to their lives. They would rather stick to playing “dumb” and denials than confront that fear. They would rather take the torment inflicted on them.

After cleaning his wounds, the deputy ended up bringing him back to his cell with that particular cell mate. I prayed that there would be no further assault on him as he was returned to that confined space with the one who hit him. It was sad that maybe it was a “race issue”, that was why the “cellie” [cell mate] had socked his eye. I prayed he wouldn’t face any more torments from the other man, just because they differed with their race.

Jesus had warned His disciples, too of persecution as they lived a life following Him. [Life Application Bible, Matthew 10:16-23]. I think whatever applied to the disciples still holds true for us who choose to follow Jesus this day. When we share the Good News, not every one will welcome what we share.

Conflicts and disagreements sometimes arise between us who follow Him and those who don’t. Our faith might separate us even from friends and loved ones. Our faith will set us apart from them and others. We don’t have to neglect them or fight with them, but our commitment to the Lord is much more important. He should be our first priority. Jesus calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort in this life. Like that inmate, we may face hostility, but we must not be afraid for we have God on our side.

To follow Jesus means not being afraid when we face persecutions, to be identified with Him and to face suffering, even death for His sake.

He challenges us for a higher mission. So, what is He calling you for?

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 –“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, Who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:32 –“If anyone acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before My Father in heaven.”

Matthew 10:33 –“But if anyone denies Me here on earth, I will deny that person before My Father in heaven.”

Matthew 10:38, 39 –“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for Me, you will find it.”



Please pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ being persecuted!

11 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about the inmate and it is so hard to think about those being attacked for Jesus. We are blessed here (for now anyway) and don't even realize it.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Love,
    Beth

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  2. A reminder not only to count our blessings, but to hold those who persecuted in our prayers.

    Thanks for sharing this.

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  3. "To be laughed at is no great hardship to me. I can delight in scoffs and jeers; caricatures, lampoons, and slanders are my glory. But that you should turn from your own mercy, this is my sorrow. Spit on me, but oh, repent! Laugh at me, but oh, believe in my Master! Make my body as the dirt of the streets, if you will, but damn not your own souls! Oh, do not despise your own mercies. Put not away from you the gospel of Christ. . . . I charge you, as I shall face you at the judgment bar of the Lord Jesus in the day of judgment -- I charge you, by your own immortal welfare, lay these things to heart."

    C. H. Spurgeon, 10 January 1858

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  4. It is so sad we can not respect the differences of others when we clearly do not agree. What an example of CHRIST that would be. The ignorance of the unsaved may be one thing, but we see christians treat other christians the same way.

    Praying for the persecuted and the persecutor!

    andrea

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  5. As it is said in God's Holy Word; Count it a joy when you encounter persecutions! Although as difficult as this may be, we are God's people and will encounter much persection. So often 'Christian' becomes just a title; not a life committed to serving Christ. So remember who you follow; remember your sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus. REMEMBER: to accept others as Christ accepted us; not our sinful ways, but our renewed heart/soul cleaned of sin. Jesus commanded that we love one another. How can we 'NOT' do this? God bless you my sister in Christ. I love you, my friend.
    Blessings,
    Bren

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  6. This reminds me that God has not given us the spirit of fear......

    And realized that no matter what we must stand up for Jesus and not be ashamed of the gospel.

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  7. Thanks for this powerful reminder my friend.

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  8. So, what is He calling you for?
    A good question to ask when we face persecution I think. I was just reading a scripture that reminded me of that so I must endure because the end result will be a higher calling in Him. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift of grace when we go through any persecution for our faith!

    Have a great day, my sister in Christ!

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  9. Anytime the persecuted church is highlighted I cheer! They need our prayers,

    I know that the greatest fear for me if I ever ended up in jail would be the potential of being locked in a small room with someone evil/violent/even just annoying. It makes me so sad too, even though many of the men you see deserve to be locked up...it stirs my compassion.

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  10. It is sad that we make being different the reason for assaulting and hurting another. Think how often this has disrupted churches, families, neighborhoods, even entire countries. We must pray for Christ's influence to prevail.

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  11. Just checkin in....Hope you are doing well. Sending prayers....I have been thinking about both you, Mary at Piles of Smiles, and Allelluiable. Sending prayers up for each of you.
    Blessings, andrea

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