As christians if we follow Christ why are we not persecuted more?

I know I am a sinner and I need a saviour. I have always wondered why as christians we have not been percescuted more.

Mt 5:10 - Show Context
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I want to comment on this verse ,there can either be one of two possibilities either we are not righteous and we are not recieving that blessing and it is a blessing.

Mt 5:12 - Show Context
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Joh 15:20 - Show Context
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.

If we are like Jesus should we not suffer like he did.I have been looking at my own life and realizing that there must be something I am missing, and I so worldly that I do nto suffer for my Lord. He died for me and gave everything for me, then why do I sin.
I just feel I a going through a time of peace, I so want to live 100% for christ.

Ac 20:23 - Show Context
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Paul said that bonds and afflictions awaited him in every city.

I find that we can either have two bonds the bonds of sin or real bonds. I do not want the bonds of sin.

I so want to be on the devils most wanted list. I also want to experience gods love that love that brings me to repentance.
In the west we are inside most of the time we live in air conditioned , carpeted houses with running water.

It says in the bible
Lu 12:48 - Show Context
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more
I want to use all of my body, my mind my knowledge and everything to glorify him with everything but I know as all humans I struggle with my flesh. I not only want my friends to come to christ but I want there friends and everyone because he is the only person who has the answers

Joh 6:68 - Show Context
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Why is it I have a rebellious mind that wants to disobey god. I know in my heart that Jesus is the only person who really loves me and cares for me.
Why I am I so dumb to go anywhere but him.
There is a whole world who is in pain and in suffering because of sin.

I also do not want to pick scriptures that suit me. I do want to hold fast to the truth it says that the devil is the father of all lies.
I have known in my life that the devil chips away in my life like an axe at a tree. I need Jesus help. Have you ever known that, have you ever wanted to confess every small sin that is in your life. I try and do that but I want to do that.
A dripping tap or faucet can cause a flood.
I want to draw a circle as D L Moody god sort me out. I know I am rebellious and wicked but I want with all my hear to follow you.
Deliver me oh God.
The reason I brought this up,this may be why in the West we are not persecuted because we are not righteous enough. We have alot of small foxes that spoiil the vines. All I want is Jesus
Dom

Hey Dom...

I do get persecuted when we street preach..or witness in the streets.

Alot of Americans dont get persecuted is because their NOT out knocking on doors or on the streets. If we live in the four walls we wont see it. Jesus never told us to live within walls..."let your light so shine"

I've been persecuted at work before...I've persecuted as a pastor before.

I believe it depends how devoted we are to Christ or not?

“Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines.”
- Son 2:15

A little thorn may cause much suffering. A little cloud may hide the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; and little sins do mischief to the tender heart. These little sins burrow in the soul, and make it so full of that which is hateful to Christ, that he will hold no comfortable fellowship and communion with us. A great sin cannot destroy a Christian, but a little sin can make him miserable. Jesus will not walk with his people unless they drive out every known sin. He says, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Some Christians very seldom enjoy their Saviour’s presence. How is this? Surely it must be an affliction for a tender child to be separated from his father. Art thou a child of God, and yet satisfied to go on without seeing thy Father’s face? What! thou the spouse of Christ, and yet content without his company! Surely, thou hast fallen into a sad state, for the chaste spouse of Christ mourns like a dove without her mate, when he has left her. Ask, then, the question, what has driven Christ from thee? He hides his face behind the wall of thy sins. That wall may be built up of little pebbles, as easily as of great stones. The sea is made of drops; the rocks are made of grains: and the sea which divides thee from Christ may be filled with the drops of thy little sins; and the rock which has well nigh wrecked thy barque, may have been made by the daily working of the coral insects of thy little sins. If thou wouldst live with Christ, and walk with Christ, and see Christ, and have fellowship with Christ, take heed of “the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” Jesus invites you to go with him and take them. He will surely, like Samson, take the foxes at once and easily. Go with him to the hunting.
-Spurgeon

brentw wrote:
Hey Dom...

I do get persecuted when we street preach..or witness in the streets.

Alot of Americans dont get persecuted is because their NOT out knocking on doors or on the streets. If we live in the four walls we wont see it. Jesus never told us to live within walls..."let your light so shine"

I've been persecuted at work before...I've persecuted as a pastor before.

A very bold and a very true statement. We as Americans don't see the persecution of Christians that is taking place all around the world. Christians are still being killed, but we in American tend to be ignorant of that. We live in a great nation that safeguards our religious freedom.

In our great nation persecution takes a different form than that of martyrdom. It comes in the form of riddicule and in other ways. And yes, one of the reasons why American Christians do not face this type of persecution is because they are stuck behind the four walls of the church. They are not a threat to the devil.

You know the devil doesn mind if you have a church as long as he limits the influence of it and dilutes the truth being preached.

As I said in one of my other posts. The devil isn't as stupid as we would like to think that he is. If he cannot get rid of the church, then he will infiltrate it, take away its threat to his kingdom and use it for his will. The devil realizes that mankind needs to believe in something, so he will allow us to have our religion as long as it is diluted, watered-down and not posing any threat to his kingdom. And if you are one of the people that he has done this to, then he will not want to provoke you into a greater relationship with God by bringing persecution your way. He will let you think that what you believe and the life that you are living for Jesus is the right way.

If you are a threat to the devil then you will face opposition from him. And the reason why the church in America faces little opposition is because Satan has infiltrated it and in many respects neutralized it.

But not for long, Praise God! God is calling out His warriors as we speak, and they will beigin to wake up the body of Christ.

I believe it depends how devoted we are to Christ or not?

Is this always a reliable thermometor for our status with God?

Diane

No, our personal and intimate relationship with God and the fruit that we are producing for His kingdom are our 'status' symbols.

Well... in a battle do you send your elite forces to attack something that is way out of your line of advancement and is of no possible harm to you or your goals and aspirations? No, you go after that which is standing in direct opposition to you and those goals and can do you the most damage.

It's been said that, "If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target."

**************************************************
SATAN’S MEETING

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil.

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.

"Keep them from spending time with their children.

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.

"Invade their driving moments with billboards.

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives.

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too!

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.

Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted.

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

The question is...has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge.

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

--Author Unknown

freedbyjc wrote:

It's been said that, "If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target."

Hey I like that quote. Do you know where it came from?

Also nice story.

"If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target.

Can this be backed by scripture?

Diane

And the reason why the church in America faces little opposition is because Satan has infiltrated it and in many respects neutralized it.

I believe you are absolutely correct. The reason most of the Church does not suffer persecution is because most of the professing "church" looks no different than the world, in word or deed. If we look different in our lifestyle choices, we will be persecuted---even though we are silent about doing/not doing certain things (persecuted for righteousness' sake). A life lived in submission to the Lord brings conviction on those who know and are not living in His light. I know when I'm around a Godly person, their EXAMPLE of Godliness, lived by the Spirit, brings conviction on those areas of my life where I am not where I ought to be.

If we are verbal about sin, we WILL be persecuted as the prophets of old were persecuted. Remember, they ministered to the people of God.......and that is where their persecution came from. The people did not like their "hard" words---though these "tough" prophets very much hard a heart for the people. Instead, the people of God wanted to surround themselves with prophets who made them feel good while in a state of alienation with God. We know what God speaks of such prophets. There are many such prophets dwelling among God's people today.......and the response is not much different than it was during OT times.

"If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target.

I beg to challenge this view.

The church is far more useful for the devil because of its lukewarm hypocrisy. "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Rom. 2:24

Pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, and lukewarm hearts that give Satan room to work. “Each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is dragged away and enticed.” James 1:14

Consider this quote:
The Christian church has left a legacy, a worldview, that fosters sexism, racism, the intolerance of difference, and the desecration of the natural environment. The Church, throughout much of its history, has demonstrated a disregard
for human freedom and dignity. It has attempted to control, contain, and confine spirituality, the relationship between an individual and God. As a result, Christianity has helped to
create a society in which people are alienated not only from each other but also from the divine. ~ Helen Ellerbe

These days persecution has often been the response to our abrasive arrogant approach and our tainted, manipulative love. It is not our pure devotion to God that is a stench in the nostrils of the unbelievers near as much as our lack of it.

Who really wants to hear here about your love affair with the Father?

If you were the devil who would you find most useful to you: those who compromise, or those who are strongly dedicated to Christ?

So, perhaps in reality the opposite of your premise is truer: After all, Satan’s power is diminished as we die to our selfish desires, and our self-will.

That is not to refute the reality of persecution as Christ taught…......... And yet we read in Acts 9:31 “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened.”

Diane

These days persecution has often been the response to our abrasive arrogant approach and our tainted, manipulative love. It is not our pure devotion to God that is a stench in the nostrils of the unbelievers near as much as our lack of it.

Also true.

roadsign wrote:

"If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target.

Can this be backed by scripture? Diane

Simply...
Look at the life of Christ; before and after the 40 days of preparations for His ministry. Immediate and premptive temptation from Satan himself.

Jesus' parable of the sower and the seed... In Matthew and Mark
18 “You, then, listen to the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the wordabout the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, [b]the evil one comes[/b] and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.
20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.
21 Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When [b]pressure or persecution comes[/b] because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the [b]worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. [/b]
23 But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times [what was sown].”

Christ tells His disciples that they will be persecuted for His name's sake.

Look at the actions and the lives of the disciples before Pentacost and then afterward.

32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.
33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.
34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. Heb 10:32-34

Notable look at Saul and then look at Paul's accomplishments. He says on many occasions that the persecutions are of the evil one because of the Word that they preach.

Look to the observations of the Sanhedrin after acosting the disciples Peter and John for preaching Christ and persecuting them...

7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11He is
" 'the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.[a]'[b] 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

[b]13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.[/b] Acts 4

Also in that note:Gamaliel's speech...
38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But [b]if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Act 5
Who are these ordinary men and What changed them?

In many, many cases in the bible you see that peorple empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit are then targets for the evil one's persecution and earthly hardship.

WorldView wrote:

freedbyjc wrote:
It's been said that, "If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target."

Hey I like that quote. Do you know where it came from?.

Sorry, no specifics available.Again, I must refer to "eating the meat and spitting out the bones." and defer to

Sir Francis Bacon's famous rule: "Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested."

I was looking for the source document in my files and the only thing I found was a quoted discussion between a Bible College professor and one of his students during a class on Spiritual Warfare. The student asks the professer what if I'm not experiencing persecution, hardship or spiritual warfare in my life right now, and the the professor answers ...[i] "If you are not on Satan's radar then you are too small of a target."[/i]

I have a note under it from years past that it is attributed to C H Spurgeon but I have not come across that specific statement in my reading of His sermons and notes.

WorldView wrote: Also nice story.

I like it and use it perodically...it's more than several years old and I'm simply sharing the blessings with my fellows brothers and sisters.

The church is far more useful for the devil because of its lukewarm hypocrisy.

It is when we give into this persecution and turn away from God and step back into our worldly life that we become lukewarm and hypocritcal.

Are we not then allowing ourselves to become tools of Satan? If we are not for 110% sold out for God and living in communion with Christ, them we are against Him!

Again, remember who we are fighting.... [i]For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[/i] Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB) We're gonna be tempted and we will sometimes stumble and some will fall...yes, we stumble but [i]"The saints are but the sinners who fall down ... and get up"[/i] Bob Carlysle, et al.

These days persecution has often been the [b]response[/b] to our abrasive arrogant approach and our tainted, manipulative love. It is not our pure devotion to God that is a stench in the nostrils of the unbelievers near as much as our lack of it.

IMHO, that is not [b]response[/b] but [b]results[/b] ... visable, earthly results from our inadequate or total lack of spiritual response to do God's will and come to a right relationship with Him.

IMHO...This is not persecution, this is man's sinful attempt to reciprocate creation and to once again make God in [i]his[/i] image and create a more palatable and 'happy-go-lucky' God who does not call us to obedience to His Commands and precepts. God and anything else is NOT GOD...Christ and anything else is not Christ and is of the devil.

These are not Christians, these are wanna-bees. They can call themselves 'TRUE' Christians forever but on that final day, the Lord will decide who are His sheep and who are the Goats.

We need to heed John's statement [i]He must increase, but I must decrease.”[/i] John 3:30 (HCSB) See my posting under "Other Speakers"[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=11490&post_id=89607&order=0&viewmode=thread&pid=0&forum=34#89607]HERE.[/url]