The Persecuted Church

If you want to know about, and serve, and pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, there is no better site than www.opendoorsusa.org. My heart hurts after looking around it. Bookmark it and get involved.

Be sure to check out the World Watch List, which details the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

Don't Be Surprised

Peter commanded the church not to be surprised when the fiery trial comes. I'm praying for gospel hope in Nigeria. One day, these Muslims will give an account and these Christians will receive the reward of their sufferings.

Why Read Books on Suffering?

"Justin, why do you read books on suffering?" That is the question I asked myself as I picked up yet another book that details God's plans and purposes for suffering in the life of His people. The question is relevant because I don't suffer very much and am never persecuted. If I was experiencing extreme suffering, it would be only natural to read books to help me endure. But, I live in relative ease and comfort.

The answer to that question is easy. I read books on suffering because I know I will suffer. Jesus promised me I would and I believe Jesus. And, I've lived long enough to know that no one lives very long without meeting pain, hardship, grief, and loss. My day of suffering will come. If God gives me life long enough, I will suffer.

We can't wait for the suffering to be upon us to fight against the temptations to doubt God and call His goodness into question. We must fight now.

If I hope to endure my lot of suffering, I must arm myself with the Biblical meaning, purpose, cause, and goal of suffering now. I'm hopeful that when all around my soul gives way, I will have been prepared in some small way to say, "He then is all my hope and stay."

I don't want to dread the clouds that are big with mercy. I don't want to cringe under the pain of the thorn He uses to pin aside the veil that hides His lovely face. So, I think about and read books on God's design in suffering.

Marvelously Mistaken

“If your Master was subject to all this contempt and all this pain, do you suppose you will always ride through this world in a chariot? If you do, you will be marvelously mistaken. As your Master was persecuted, you must expect to be the same. Some of you pity us when we are persecuted and despised. Ah! save your pity, keep it for those of whom the world speaks well; keep it for those against whom the woe is pronounced. “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you.” Save your pity for earth’s favorites; save your pity for this world’s lords, that are applauded by all men.”

-CH Spurgeon

The World Will Hate You: John 15:18-16:4

It has been estimated that there were about 175,000 Christians killed for being a Christian in the last year. 175,000 martyrs.
The statistics show that this number will continue to increase over the next few years and the number will be about 210,000 in 2025.
There were 45 ½ million Christians killed in the 20th century (this is most likely more than all other centuries combined).

And these numbers don’t even include countless millions who have been tortured, mangled, raped, and imprisoned because of their commitment to Christ.

Jesus said, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."

I drew out 2 points from this text in my message on Sunday:
-Christians Should Expect the World to Hate Us.
-Christians Can Endure the Hatred of the World.

Question: Can you mention any experience which you have had as a Christian that made you aware of your union with a suffering, crucified Lord?

Bunyan on God's Sovereignty in Persecution

“It is not what enemies will, nor what they are resolved upon, but what God will, and what God appoints, that shall be done…And as no enemy can bring suffering upon a man when the will of God is otherwise, so no man can save himself out of their hands when God will deliver him up for his glory…God has appointed who shall suffer. Suffering comes not by chance or by the will of man, but by the will and appointment of God.”

“All the ways of the persecutors are God’s. Wherefore, as we should, so again we should not, be afraid of men: we should be afraid of them, because they will hurt us; but we should not be afraid of them, as if they were let loose to do to us, and with us, what they will. God’s bridle is upon them, God’s hook is in their nose; yea, and God has determined the bounds of their rage, and if he lets them drive his church into the sea of troubles, it shall be but up to the neck, and so far it may go, and not be drowned…I say the Lord has hold of them, and orders them; nor do they at any time come out against his people but by his license and compassion how far to go, and where to stop.”

Taken from Piper's The Hidden Smile of God.

God is Most Glorified...

"Nothing glorifies God more than maintaining our stability and joy when we lose everything but God."

John Piper, The Hidden Smile of God, p. 46.

NEED YOUR HELP - Persecution?

I need everyone who reads this blog to pitch in here. Very simple question. Even if you have never commented before, please do now.

If you are a Christian...
When in your life have you been "persecuted" for the sake of the gospel? Please let me know if you have ever suffered directly because of your commitment to Christ. No need to tell the whole story (unless you want to). Just briefly tell us what happened and why.

If you have never been persecuted, please just write: "I've never been persecuted."

*Of course, in America we have not been persecuted nearly as seriously as in other countries. However, I'm looking for anything. What "harm" has come to you because you are a Christian?