Marvel not, my brethren,
if the world hate you.
1 John 3:13
I've been asking the Lord to help me pray more for those Christians who are being persecuted for their faith...
if the world hate you.
1 John 3:13
I've been asking the Lord to help me pray more for those Christians who are being persecuted for their faith...
Indeed, there are ugly and terrible attacks occurring nowadays that are routinely being launched against the evangelical church. In nations such as Iran, Iraq, Saudi, Arabia, Algeria, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, and Nigeria, and in many more places, our brothers and sisters have to endure much suffering at levels we in the United States could not imagine. Our brethren are hated because our Lord is hated. And this is why ministries such as Voice of the Martyrs are so important. It's organizations like VOM who help to keep us aware of the struggles our fellow disciples often face for trying to live out their beliefs before a hostile world.
Unfortunately, however, I think that much of the church in North America is oblivious to this. For the most part, we're unconcerned about such persecution. After all, such atrocities seem so far away. And we've got our own problems to deal with. We have our own lives to lead. But we also need to realize that one day, the time may come when we'll be facing the same unbridled persecution. Even now, there are undercurrents of this happening, maybe in the not-too-distant future. Yet we remain asleep.
For example, the number of Muslims now living in the United States and Canada is increasing daily, just as in Europe and in the former Russian territories. Christians are being outnumbered. While along with this, from a different direction, more laws are being passed by our respective legislators calling for limitations on activities such as "street preaching," open air evangelistic gatherings, and passing out gospel tracts on college campuses or in public. Why, it's almost as if they're trying to make basic evangelism illegal. In addition, some experts say that the fastest growing religion among America's young people today is Wicca.
Furthermore, I believe that if many of the sermons given by well-respected ministers to their congregations only a few decades ago were to be preached from pulpits today, that such sermons would actually be regarded as inflammatory by today's standards. And these men of God would be sued, harassed, and maybe even arrested. Such are the times we're now living in where it may soon be against the law to share the gospel with our friends, co-workers, and especially with strangers. I assure you, this is coming!
Sadly, however, many of us are like the proverbial frog in the pan. While the water gradually warms, the frog is so busy splashing around and enjoying himself, that he's oblivious to what is happening. He's slowly being cooked. The result: a very dumb and dead frog! He was clueless until it was too late.
Could this happen to us? The church in America needs to wake up. This is my opinion.
D.B.
Unfortunately, however, I think that much of the church in North America is oblivious to this. For the most part, we're unconcerned about such persecution. After all, such atrocities seem so far away. And we've got our own problems to deal with. We have our own lives to lead. But we also need to realize that one day, the time may come when we'll be facing the same unbridled persecution. Even now, there are undercurrents of this happening, maybe in the not-too-distant future. Yet we remain asleep.
For example, the number of Muslims now living in the United States and Canada is increasing daily, just as in Europe and in the former Russian territories. Christians are being outnumbered. While along with this, from a different direction, more laws are being passed by our respective legislators calling for limitations on activities such as "street preaching," open air evangelistic gatherings, and passing out gospel tracts on college campuses or in public. Why, it's almost as if they're trying to make basic evangelism illegal. In addition, some experts say that the fastest growing religion among America's young people today is Wicca.
Furthermore, I believe that if many of the sermons given by well-respected ministers to their congregations only a few decades ago were to be preached from pulpits today, that such sermons would actually be regarded as inflammatory by today's standards. And these men of God would be sued, harassed, and maybe even arrested. Such are the times we're now living in where it may soon be against the law to share the gospel with our friends, co-workers, and especially with strangers. I assure you, this is coming!
Sadly, however, many of us are like the proverbial frog in the pan. While the water gradually warms, the frog is so busy splashing around and enjoying himself, that he's oblivious to what is happening. He's slowly being cooked. The result: a very dumb and dead frog! He was clueless until it was too late.
Could this happen to us? The church in America needs to wake up. This is my opinion.
D.B.
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