Have you ever been stirred to bring your Bible into a place where you normally don’t carry your sword (likening your Bibles, the Word of God, to a sword Heb 4:11)? Perhaps carrying it to a restaurant, grocery store, work, or to school? It is always notable on how our flesh can resist and even more notable on how your audience will respond. You may get looks and maybe even a comment behind your back, but this is nothing compared to so many saints that take a heavy hit for the Gospels sake. For many of us, this is a very soft or mild form of persecution. In the first chapter of Exodus, we see the response of the Egyptians in regards to the threat of the presence of God’s people. “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and [so] get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.” (Exd 1:9-11) Persecution is a good sign for the Church. Ultimately people will always feel threatened, as there is an increase in Bible-believing believers around them. Remember what Jesus said? “Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Mat 5:11-12) and (Jhn 15:20) “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” Are you willing to take on a stare today? You never know, you might get a chance to use it. Will you consider carrying your sword today?
persecution. realy, can any of us say that we’ve been persecuted for our faith? i mean have we been christians long enough for that to happen? most of us keep our faith to ourselves, avoiding exposure which could result in someone’s saying something degrading about fundamentalists or whatever. yes we are fundamentalists. we believe what God says. we believe that He is the ultimate authority. and yes people will criticize us for not being more “open minded.” but i have found recently that if you are willing to talk to someone about your faith they will often listen. though they may disagree many times they will listen to your scoop and actually ask you questions. everyone doesn’t hate christians. just some people. if we are afraid to sare our faith (the remedy we have taht they need) what good are we. this is our purpose. the reason we are here. our mission. let the world. preach the gospel to every creature. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mt. 28:19-20). just don’t be afraid to share Jesus with someone. He said he would be with us. what do we have to be afraid of? if you bring your Bible to school, yeah people might think your some “holy-roller” and say something rude or what ever. but just suck it up and praise God for counting you worthy to take part in the suffering of the saints. also, to see someone reading their Bible during lunch or whatever is really encouraging for other christians who might be ashamed to be open and exposed with their faith in school. don’t put your faith in the perverbial closet when you leave your home or church. share it.
I have been thinking what a whimpy Christian I have been of late. How I need to be more bold. put on the whole armor of God. sword included . thanks for posting this.
hmmmm, good thoughts. i find that for me the more challenging thing is not bring ur Bible out…but rather taking a righteous stand in the work place…people don’t understand why you wouldn’t lie about things to make it easier on yourself. then you wind up feeling like the “goodie-goodie” …..