It’s a hard and unfortunate fact that in this fallen world, the strength of the real church (and we’re not talking about the institutionalised church – we are discussing the one made without hands talked about in the Bible) and depth of faith of the living stones within it, is and has always been directly proportional to the amount of persecution she suffers.
This is no mystery – unlike iniquity itself – which no matter how much I consider how or why men (and I am no exception) love darkness I can never understand it – as humans love their comfort and as long as they are comfortable they forget God. This is such a basic truth and and ever-occurring problem that God warns us about it in the Bible many many times in many different ways over and over.
Do I Need To Suffer in Order To Be Close To God?
No. Apart from the fact that Christ has shed his blood for us and our sins, so we don’t have to, we can be close to God because He is already close to us – he is everywhere! However, there is no getting away from the fact that persecution concentrates the mind and causes one to consider ones immortality and need for God like nothing on God’s earth. It has always been that way and always will be like it or not. We must always be prepared to suffer – Jesus promised; anyone who follows me seriously will experience physical or mental suffering without fail (paraphrase).
If you can handle it and to put it really frankly and bluntly – the strength of the church is equal to the amount of blood of the martyrs spilled. This is why the modern church is so lame and has little and in some cases no power other than as a self-help social club able only to give you tools to give you 20 ways to improve your business life or self-esteem.
In fact, if you are not suffering any persecution – it is because you are not a challenge to the devil. He will leave you well alone so long as you are occupied by the world and the deceitfulness of riches. So should we seek persecution and suffering like some religions do? No – Paul did ask God to remove the thorn in his side but God left it there and no doubt Paul realised it would stop him becoming complacent,
Let Us Always Give Thanks Daily in Times of Peace
So let us always seek God through The Holy Spirit and The Bible, and never forget the martyrs that gave their lives so that we can read our Bibles – something they never had the luxury of.
I love God, Christ, The Bible. art, painting, playing music, improvising music, guitar (first instrument), drumming (not very good at it:), and anything musical or art related. Quick note – my articles are usually spun off in minutes so forgive any errors – hopefully you get the essence of the article and I’ll pick up mistakes later. If you want to write of 101ChristianMagazine and inspire and edify Christians with articles on faith, general news, hobbies or anything that interests you email me at: epgb101@gmail.com:)
