Episode 41 Show Notes
Why Do Some Christians Experience More Persecution and Suffering?
From the Show
Why Do Some Christians Experience More Persecution and Suffering?
People say sometimes in pastoral prayers, "thank you that we live in a country that freely allows us to preach the gospel." We are grateful to the Lord that we can preach the gospel without going to jail. We should definitely be thankful for that, but Caesar does not give us any liberty to preach the gospel, Christ does. We see that wherever the kingdom of Christ is growing around the world, it often grows in spite of the fact that governments don't give it any leeway at the very time when many churches in Europe and North America wander from the gospel and eventually just wither and die.
Years ago I remember something Francis Schaeffer said. I had the privilege of getting to know him toward the end. He was dying of cancer. Being a young and enthusiastic Christian I said, "Don't we need more persecution in the church today? You see that the church gets stronger, people really know what they believe and why they believe that and they're convinced of it. They're willing to die for it. Whereas in America, it seems like we squander our freedom to kind of drift with the culture." It's really interesting, Dr. Schaefer said, "Well, I have cancer, as you know. Certainly, it has had some opportunities to bring blessing to my family. It has drawn our family together more closely. It has had all kinds of positive things, but I would never wish cancer on anybody." That really made an impression on me.
We don't go looking for crosses to die on, but they find us sometimes. Let's pray, especially for our brothers and sisters who are living under the cross. And wherever possible, let's support them materially, especially those who who come to the US looking for asylum. Remember, Jesus said, "In as much as you have done these works of service to these your brothers, my brothers," he says, "you have done it to me." Let's realize that suffering for Christ's name is better than taking his name in vain for our own political and cultural projects. — Michael Horton
Questions in this Episode
1. What do you think is the most important thing people need to know about prayer?
2. What does it mean to say that we are justified by faith?
3. It seems like Christians in other parts of the world suffer so much violence? Why do you think God has been so gracious to us in the U.S. to experience so much peace by comparison?
4. What does Isaiah 55:11 mean?
5. What does the Bible mean when it says that ‘we are to judge angels’?
Resources
Stop Making Christ Only Half a Savior
Thriving in America's Difficult Religious Climate
Why Don't Churches Talk More About Angels and Demons?
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