24/09/2024
*PERSECUTED?*
The gift of salvation is given to all free of charge but not without a price which was fully paid by Christ Jesus. Nevertheless, living the Christian life comes with a cost that must be borne by every believer in Christ. Following Christ draws the attention of the world and Satan who will rise against believers with the aim of getting them out of the race.
Various devices are being employed by Satan to fight against followers of Christ among which is persecution. Persecution is treating someone harshly, cruelly or unjustly because of his faith in Christ. It takes different forms like denial of one’s rights, hating, harassing, annoying, cheating, assaulting, rejection, reproaching, etc.
_Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution._ 2Tim.3.12
(NLT). Every true believer in Christ can’t but face persecution in the world. Persecution is one of the indispensable experiences that a Christian must have while following the Lord Jesus. No Christian can escape it. It is part of the wholistic package we receive from God for choosing to walk with Him. It is a proof of genuine faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus at various times assured His disciples of the persecution they would of necessity encounter in the world. Matt.5:10-11, Jn. 15:20,16:33
If you have chosen to be a God chaser, persecution is imminent. There’s no escape route except to play along with the world. When you are conformed to the forms, practices and systems of the world, you are free from persecution. But as long as you follow the narrow path which is the way of God, the world will come for you.
Persecution comes from any quarter; parents to children, husband to wife, bosses to subordinates or vice versa. It can be from the workplace, church, fellowship, fellow believers, fellow workers, etc.An experience of a particular persecution may be mild or severe. It may also last for a short or long period depending certain factors such as God’s timing and our responses. Our attitude towards the persecution we go through counts a lot. If we have the right attitudes, the timing is unduly prolonged but when our responses don’t measure up to God’s expectation, it can last longer.
_And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them._ Rom.8.28 (NLT). Persecution, though painful, works for our good and not our ruin. Through the experience, God’s plans are being worked out. We get purged, refined and transformed as we pass through the fire. We are being sieved so that the dirty and corrupt particles (self life) can be detected and put off for Christ life to have space to manifest more and more.
While undergoing persecution, we tend to develop spiritual maturity. Our level of faith increases while Spiritual muscles and shock absorbers are also grown. Prayer altars likely get hotter, we are drawn nearer to God and our communion with Him is enriched. Through the bitter experience, we may be led into the good works that God has ordained for us to walk in. The persecution we face now may be the vehicle through which we get into the next phase of God’s purpose and His assignment for us. The persecution can be the means by which we get to our divine location and promise land as the case of Joseph.
Persecuted? Take solace in these:
_I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jer. 29.11 (MSB)_
_No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. 1Cor.10.13 (MSB)_
_When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isa.43.2 (NLT)._
_Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. Rom.8.18 (NLT)_
_Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Matt. 5:12._
Shalom!
*Rev. Oluwasina A. Oso*
