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Persecution In America

By Pastor J.D. Link

Abundant Grace Fellowship Church, Blanco, TX

Last Sunday we celebrated Veteran’s Day, and participated in the National Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church as well. These two events actually have a lot to do with each other, so I found it appropriate that they fell on the same day. Allow me to explain.

On Veteran’s Day, we honor all of those living men (Memorial Day we usually honor those who have died) who have served in the armed forces; particularly those that have served in war. These are people that have risked their lives (Jn 15:13) to protect the freedoms you and I enjoy. These are people that have honored the Stars & Stripes, and fought to defend them and what they stand for. Yet for the past 40+ years, national patriotism and respect for our military has diminished greatly. These things should not be; but may I say, it is all by design.

I am no conspiracy theorist, but I believe anyone with any common sense can see that people in high places want a “Global Village“. Look at the U.N., the European Union, the “

Patriotism must be destroyed (in some people‘s minds), because you can’t have people that are loyal to the ideas and principles a nation is founded on, and are willing to die to preserve them; and at the same time get them excited about flushing their sovereignty down the toilet. So great care is taken to constantly report negative things about our nation, our military, our government leaders; while virtually ignoring the many positive things that are being done. This is all no accident. It’s done to create negative feelings in people about the U.S.

Bible believing Christians must be destroyed (in some people’s minds), because you can’t have them saying things like abortion, adultery, & homosexuality are wrong in God’s eyes (Ex 1:16-20, Prov 6:16-17, Jer 1:4-5, Ex 20:13, Ex 20:14, Mt 5:27-28, Lev 18:22, 20:13, Deut 22:5, Rom 1:24-27, Jude 7); and that Jesus is the only way to Heaven (Jn 3:36, 14:6, 1Jn 5:11-12): and at the same time expect them to put these things aside for the sake of “unity” and “global peace”. It’s not going to happen. So great care is being taken to constantly portray Christians in a bad light. You rarely hear of the multitudes of good reports associated with the church, the mission field, etc. No, if you hear anything about Christianity, it’s usually some negative story about a preacher molesting someone. While I’m obviously not defending such an act, may I say that sort of thing is the exception, and not the rule. Yet, it gets all the press. Surprise, surprise.

You need to be ready, brothers and sisters in Christ. Persecution has arrived in America. The powers that be are testing the waters right now, seeing how the public and the church are going to react. Gideons are being arrested for passing out Bibles near a school; Christians are being arrested for simply holding signs with Scripture on them at a “gay pride” parade, or passing out tracts at a public park. It’s happening right now. As I heard one preacher say “Christians are fast becoming orphans in the Global Village”. I personally believe anti-proselytizing laws are on there way, but that’s O.K. Persecution always purges the nominal hypocrites out of the church. We’re due for a good cleansing, don’t you think?

So how should we respond? 1. Know your not exempt from persecution (2Tim 3:12, Jn 16:33, 1Pt 4:12). They hated Jesus, they’ll hate you too (Mt 10:22, Jn 15:17-23, 17:14, 1Jn 3:13). 2. Do not be ashamed of suffering for Christ ( 1Pt 4:16, Phip 1:20, 2Tim 1:12). It is a badge of honor (Act 5:40-42). 3. Rejoice when you are persecuted! Leap for joy! For God’s glory rests upon you! (1Pt 3:14, Mt 5:11-12, Lk 6:22-23). Pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering terribly in communist and Islamic nations, just for loving Jesus. There is so much more to say, but I must stop for now. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!