In the Gospel of John, Jesus said this, to all generations of Christianity, about what we can expect the worlds opinion of us to be. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18 & 19).
Worldwide Christians are under a pre-determined and ever expanding persecution with the ultimate goal, not only to take away its influence in the world, but its total elimination. This will never be because God said, “…the gates of hell will not prevail against the church” (Matthew 16:18). God’s people have always been hated and persecuted by a people they, the church, loves and endeavors to lead them from eternal death to everlasting life. There is no one way God’s people are assaulted. It comes through politically motivated means, social methods, religious bigotry, and many other avenues. It has as its sole purpose the total eradication of all things Christ.
The Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy…” He wrote these words to Timothy, his son in the faith, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” (I Timothy 6:12). In Ephesians 6:13 the man of God encourages the church, when it is severely tried, to “…take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Today’s world is becoming more hostile to Christianity, their attacks are becoming more violate and deadly, all because of hatred towards Christ and His disciples.
Since II Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, “…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds…” we must arm ourselves with the spiritual weapons of prayer, fasting, and trust in God. There is an ever increasing darkness covering the earth that, though it will not prevail, must be overcome for the sake of souls for whom Christ died, including our own sons, daughters, and families. Our weapons are not carnal and our victory and overcoming is to be found in Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Child of God be encourage and remain steadfast in the faith for Christ has promised and declared, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
By Robert Turnage