What Would You Do?

[tyndale1946]

This year the news has been full of Christians being singled out and persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ... It was the same in the early church as we read in scriptures and nothing since then has changed... If you read the 11 Chapter of Hebrews nothing has changed since the beginning of time... God people have always been persecuted and killed down through the ages just as it is now... In the Sermon On The Mount is a admonition from the Lord what we as his followers are suppose to do, yet if you were really faced with this dilemma what would you do?... All I can say is God give me grace that I would do the right thing... We can all say with conviction what we think we would do but until we are there can we really say for sure?.. Will we follow the instructions from The Sermon On The Mount?... Brother Glen

Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

[JeremyWilliams]

I've had some thoughts over that particular situation as well: If a terrorist group would capture me or a loved one because we admit being christian, what would I do?

First of all, in our current times, I think it's better to survive, keep living and praising God than stubbornly getting killed because, as it has happened, someone goes into a radical Islamic territory and once there preach the word of God. I know the case of a big Christian group who once sent some young missionaries to a radical Islamic country and they got killed because they preached the word of God out loud. I understand there is great "spiritual honor" in this but our life is much greater and valuable.

However, what if I were originally from a country where christianity is forbidden: ex. North Korea. That's a true dilemma and I would probably practice Christianity just for myself. I wouldn't even make an attempt to talk to someone else about Jesus or the Christian doctrine. It might sound harsh and perhaps someone with a radical Christian perspective would judge this as the thoughts of someone who doesn't truly believe in God's word, but as I've told you, our life is the greatest gift that God's given to us.

I understand that the Sermon On The Mount urges us not to fight back yet my possition would be to not fight at all by getting into a situation where my life would be in obvious danger.

 

[StFrancis]

We need to stand strong and be prayerful. We should continue proclaiming the word of God and I am sure that He will see us through. We should never give up because Jesus died for us so that we can live strong in the word of God. I know that even if we die now, we have a future in heaven, God has assured us about that.

 

[ApollotheBrave]

I haven't been personally persecuted for my Christian beliefs but if anyone challenged me ofcourse I would defend myself and my religion. What I don't do is act out in violence or rage though as it seems unnecessary in the face of someone who might be ignorant. Compassion and kindness is always the key, as Jesus Christ himself has shown. My faith will guide me in future situations.

 

[kyredneck]

a big Christian group who once sent some young missionaries to a radical Islamic country

There's all the difference in the world between being sent by a missionary board and being sent by God.

 

[JeremyWilliams]

There's all the difference in the world between being sent by a missionary board and being sent by God.

I understand what you say and I partially agree with you. Whatever God tells us to do we can do it with faith and be sure we'll be okay.
However in most churches or study groups they'll always implicitly teach you that God can speak through the "figures of authority" in your community. I'm sure these brave young missionaries who died in Afghanistan were told by their missionary board or pastors about going there and they somehow interpreted this as God's will.
Sometimes there is such a thin line in the way people "hear God's voice" that they could be easlily confused and not even the most intensive praying could confirm if it's your pastors will or the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps there are more intelligent ways on how to reach those people in difficult countries: technology, music, books (something that can't be banned or killed)?

Now, I've heard about people that somehow recieve this divine confirmation and go all by themselves to risky places and come back alive... That's very personal and worthy although a huge risk.

How do you think would God manifest to someone and tell them where to go? Great discernment is a must!

 

[dyanmarie25]

Being faced with persecution would be really difficult for us. But yeah, although it's already a matter of life, and death, we should never deny our beliefs. We should never give up on God. We should stand strong, be loud, and proud to say that we have God in our hearts, and we do trust in Him.