BYM ONLINE DESK July 2018 English Emagazine | Page 13

July 2018
Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
Persecutions may scatter the believers. In other
words, the Church expands geographically. It is quiet
possible that we could settle in an easy-going dilly-
dallying cozy-comfortable Christianity that the Bible
does not teach. Persecution helps us to grow deeper
and go farther. It helps us to obey the 'Great
Commission.' Hence the times of persecution will be
times of rediscovery and reorientation. Do not worry
that your ministry is cut short in one area. God will
open another door. Do not worry when the door for a
particular ministerial method closes, go in for
another. Wait on God. When God opens a door for
you, no one can shut it. So let us pray and proceed.
Paul was persecuted in every town but he moved on. I
wonder what Paul would have done, had he not been
persecuted.
6. Know that Persecution takes the Gospel to
Kings and Rulers
Luk 21:12,13 “But before all these they will
lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering
you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being
brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.”
Matt 10:23 - “When they persecute you in one
town, flee to the next..”
5. Know that Persecutions are time-bound
Persecutions do not last long. Once God's
purposes are fulfilled, they cease. Hence during the
time of persecution, we need to pray that God's
purposes be fulfilled. We should never fight back as
Peter fought against the Roman soldiers. We need to
pray and wait. We may not fully understand what
God is doing. But we need to submit ourselves in the
mighty hands of God. He will use us accordingly and
will fulfill the purposes that He has for us.
During the times of persecution, it is better to
wait on the Lord. We should never take decisions
emotionally. Times will definitely change. We need
to be faithful and fearless.
Persecution makes the message of the Gospel
more popular. When a persecution breaks out, people
read about it in the newspapers, talk about it in the
public places. Though at times it starts with a
negative popularity, we need to pray that the Gospel
be better understood by the people during such times.
It is during persecution that the wrong notions
concerning the Gospel are cleared. In our country
people have started to believe a lie that, 'Christians
convert through the lure of money from the West.' It
is our duty to tell the world that it is the Gospel that
transforms the individuals. Jesus never asked anyone
to convert. He asked us to preach the Gospel. Let us
be faithful to the message of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Persecution will prove that money has
nothing to do with the faith and hope that we have in
Christ Jesus.
Hence let us run the race marked out for us, not
fearing anyone but God, and not fighting anyone but
the devil.
R
O F I N T E G
Luk 22:53 - “When I was with you day after
day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But
this is your hour, and the power of darkness. ”
*2018*
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