THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Matthew 10:17, 19 - 22
" 'But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils and scourge you in the synagogues ... But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given you in that hour what you should speak. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.' "
The history of the Church is the story of martyrs who stood the test to the end and did not shrink from their faith in the Lord Jesus, even in persecution. I know nothing of suffering and persecution for my faith, and I don't know how I would respond to being tortured for being a Christian. But I know that God is faithful and would give grace to "endure to the end." My heart goes out to my brothers and sisters around the world who today are suffering, who have been attacked by the world and forsaken by others – even their families. The Heros of the Faith listed in Hebrews includes the those who "were tortured ... still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:35b-38a). Though these martyrs are treated as the scum of the earth, this world is not worthy of the people who are persecuted for the name of Jesus.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Though all others forsake, God is present in the suffering of the persecuted church.
[end]
Have a "remembering the persecuted" day. Love you.
Matthew 10:17, 19 - 22
" 'But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils and scourge you in the synagogues ... But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given you in that hour what you should speak. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.' "
The history of the Church is the story of martyrs who stood the test to the end and did not shrink from their faith in the Lord Jesus, even in persecution. I know nothing of suffering and persecution for my faith, and I don't know how I would respond to being tortured for being a Christian. But I know that God is faithful and would give grace to "endure to the end." My heart goes out to my brothers and sisters around the world who today are suffering, who have been attacked by the world and forsaken by others – even their families. The Heros of the Faith listed in Hebrews includes the those who "were tortured ... still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:35b-38a). Though these martyrs are treated as the scum of the earth, this world is not worthy of the people who are persecuted for the name of Jesus.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Though all others forsake, God is present in the suffering of the persecuted church.
[end]
Have a "remembering the persecuted" day. Love you.
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