I wrote a blog on being despitefully used as a Christian that might begin to answer that fine line...
Its rough times for the despitefully used Christians was written in 2005. At the bottom of the blog article is a link to the end story that occurred in 2006 (Make sure you read that too!). It's important that we remember as Christians that sometimes God allows some of our greatest enemies in our path for that one last chance to connect with Him.
On the other hand, Christians that pray for each other, and pat each other on the back, and uphold just their own, are not portraying the love of Jesus Christ, who notes that...
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 av)
On the other hand, sometimes when Christians face persecution, while prayer for their enemies should remain spoken, there is nothing against the Word of God that prevents them from stepping out of the way. In fact, we are instructed to separate ourselves from the wicked and profane...
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 av)
On the other hand...(I seem to be running out of hands!)...Many of the strongest workers for the LORD God that I know have been persecuted tremendously by their families, and have had to leave everything behind to ensure that they could walk firmly and progressively toward the LORD God. At some point, the drama and the hatred of our persecutors overwhelms our spirit so greatly, that we can no longer reach for and receive the blessings of God.
If your focus is more on your enemies than on your God, then you must choose. What seems impossible, sometimes is a blessing, and Jesus Christ especially takes extra care with those sheep who have ran from the wolf in search of a flock. The Great Shepherd is watchful over all of his sheep, not only those in the biggest and whitest flocks!
On the other of my many hands, we must always take care to never deny Christ in the midst of persecution, as I wrote in my article "Denying Christ with a Gun Pointed at You, is Still Denying Christ!"
When is persecution too much? When should our prayers change from expressing love to resorting to asking for curses to be rained down upon our enemies? (Gasp - Can a Christian actually think such thoughts)
This is the rule I use...I pray for my enemies amidst the persecution, because that is what Jesus has asked me to do. But I also tattle on my enemies when they are preventing the Works of God, and He resolves those issues so His Will can continue, be fruitful and multiply. (Usually, when prayers reach the tattling stage of the Christian faithful, it is not very good for God's enemies.)
I hope these different thoughts help you form a line of spiritual health, that allows you to know when to pray, when to endure, when to stand firm, and when to move on. It's difficult times for all Christians, and persecution is brought upon many. We all must consider the measure of these things, so when it comes to us, we respond effectively in accordance with His Word.
David "Bucker" Becker
Its rough times for the despitefully used Christians was written in 2005. At the bottom of the blog article is a link to the end story that occurred in 2006 (Make sure you read that too!). It's important that we remember as Christians that sometimes God allows some of our greatest enemies in our path for that one last chance to connect with Him.
On the other hand, Christians that pray for each other, and pat each other on the back, and uphold just their own, are not portraying the love of Jesus Christ, who notes that...
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 av)
On the other hand, sometimes when Christians face persecution, while prayer for their enemies should remain spoken, there is nothing against the Word of God that prevents them from stepping out of the way. In fact, we are instructed to separate ourselves from the wicked and profane...
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 av)
On the other hand...(I seem to be running out of hands!)...Many of the strongest workers for the LORD God that I know have been persecuted tremendously by their families, and have had to leave everything behind to ensure that they could walk firmly and progressively toward the LORD God. At some point, the drama and the hatred of our persecutors overwhelms our spirit so greatly, that we can no longer reach for and receive the blessings of God.
If your focus is more on your enemies than on your God, then you must choose. What seems impossible, sometimes is a blessing, and Jesus Christ especially takes extra care with those sheep who have ran from the wolf in search of a flock. The Great Shepherd is watchful over all of his sheep, not only those in the biggest and whitest flocks!
On the other of my many hands, we must always take care to never deny Christ in the midst of persecution, as I wrote in my article "Denying Christ with a Gun Pointed at You, is Still Denying Christ!"
When is persecution too much? When should our prayers change from expressing love to resorting to asking for curses to be rained down upon our enemies? (Gasp - Can a Christian actually think such thoughts)
This is the rule I use...I pray for my enemies amidst the persecution, because that is what Jesus has asked me to do. But I also tattle on my enemies when they are preventing the Works of God, and He resolves those issues so His Will can continue, be fruitful and multiply. (Usually, when prayers reach the tattling stage of the Christian faithful, it is not very good for God's enemies.)
I hope these different thoughts help you form a line of spiritual health, that allows you to know when to pray, when to endure, when to stand firm, and when to move on. It's difficult times for all Christians, and persecution is brought upon many. We all must consider the measure of these things, so when it comes to us, we respond effectively in accordance with His Word.
David "Bucker" Becker
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7 comments:
Dear Mr. Becker,
Thank you for such a thorough response!
After reading it all, I think it comes down to TRUST! Trusting God with the tools to do what He wants me to do.
This does have to do with family and them stopping God's work. So, in that, I can pray that God stop their malicious behaviour so that His work may continue.
I honestly desire them to come to know Christ (although, they do profess to know Him). Their actions are far from that of a believer.
I will keep my nose in the Word and pray for wisdom.
Thank you again.
la,
That's the Way! Trust, study, pray for wisdom, and endure, endure, endure as long as you can, and keep on enduring until God moves you to another place. And in the end, that's what is going to happen when Christians face persecution.
God will move them to greater understanding, away from or toward the persecution, or maybe even into His loving arms proud of us for a job well done.
Persecution gives Christians a chance to shout-out to the LORD God how much you love Him, by enduring more than the worldly common.
Persecution gives us a chance to prove our love and following of Jesus Christ, as we endeavor to do it His Way, in spite of our human desires for retribution and attack.
Persecution makes a fertile ground for spiritual growth to be increased at a higher rate, as lessons of God are frequently inserted within the drama.
Persecution shouts to the persecutors the witness of Jesus Christ, and your willingness to endure in showing His love!
You really are at a special place, la; one that will bless you with the movement of God, in one His ways or another!
David "Bucker" Becker
Mr. Becker,
As i was praying last night for many different things, one of them being that I could work for God and be used by Him, He showed me something. I have struggled with "works" thinking I had to work my way to God. He showed me that I don't have to do that, but instead I want to do the work He asks of me. Very Different! My heart has changed in regards to works and it's so freeing to know that I want to not that I have to. And I want to out of Love for Him! Awesome huh? You know when you hear something for years and then all of a sudden you understand it? That's what's happening in my walk with Jesus! And so, regarding persecution...I get to be persecuted because of Christ in me. And i get to respond according to how Christ shows me the way. My enemies aren't going to like it that's for sure. They want me to fight and defend every lie they say about me. But, i dont have to, I can defend Christ in me and that's enough for now! I've pretty much stayed annonymous, but even in that, they find me. And it's now okay. i've been worried that they are badgering you too, but that too, is okay, right? Because you too, have Christ living in and directing you!
I'm gonna keep coming for food and second helpings and not feel guilt over it or worry that i'm bugging you :} I figure if i wear you out, you'll send me to another table right?
annonymous, la, or Lou A.
Lou,
It is so nice knowing your name.
Praise God! I just knew you were close to a breakthrough!
Your words ring true with the Ways of God, and you have reached a new spiritual growth step because he has given you new understanding. The LORD God would not have given you understanding, if you had not come to Him to be fed. That's the way it works in normal circumstances. Those He sees desiring to do His Works, are given new enlightenment to grow them closer to Him, so they can do just as He asks!
That's my works for Him. I am a teacher of the Word of God, and it is my job to teach the things He Wills to the people He brings to me.
Since I was just a child, I was been placed in very dangerous and life-threatening places; places of taunting, ridicule, threats, rejections, and hatreds. As a child, I could not understand. As a teacher of the Word of God I understand why. The LORD God allowed the persecutions to come upon me to prepare me for this time, so when the various attempts to dissuade my works for Him were cast upon my life, I would be strong and able to overcome and continue with the things He Wills.
So, don't you worry about badgering...it goes with the job.
You keep those questions coming! Giving answers to tough questions is my pleasure, and bringing truth through the Word of God my passion.
I can't wait to watch your spiritual growth blossom even more! Keep on visiting and keep on studying!
One other thing...It is freeing to be less anonymous, and I'm really glad to know your first name. It matters, and makes things more real.
I tried the anonymous bit for awhile, but found that even the demons kept their tauntings farther away when I was strong enough to stand and confront them full force with the Word of God in my real identity. Real people proclaiming the Word of God publicly for all to hear, and being brave enough to face the examination of doubters, and having the faith that Christ will lead the answers, seems to bring a damper upon any of the weak persecutors.
It is an amazing fact that the more people know me to be David "Bucker" Becker, lover of the LORD GOD and His Word, Jesus Christ, and apt to proclaim His message at the whim of Him, the more the people that are wicked and carnal run the other way. It makes life nice for both of us, and makes room for the audience of seekers that are given the Good News message of Jesus Christ!
I'm proud of you kiddo! Keep up the good walk toward Him!
David "Bucker" Becker
Dear Mr. Becker,
I slept all night last night!!! I dreamt that I went to heaven and there was a huge party and everyone there was praising God! Beats all the nightmares I have that's for sure. It was my first peaceful night of sleep in years.
Now on to praying for those that persecute us: One of my brothers has been very hateful and a big part in persecuting me. I honestly don't understand why, but regardless he has been. I began praying that God would stop him. Well, he is in the hospital in very serious shape as his heart is not functioning properly and the doctors can't seem to figure out why. I do believe that God is stopping him, but I am so sad. I do not want to see my brother die without knowing God. I pray for his spiritual heart to heal, but that God will keep him physically unable to harm me. What else can I pray?
Lou
Lou,
That is so wonderful that God gave you a "soft bed!" That's a special gift that is sometimes given when Christians have had a rough go of things. Until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to relate the magnificent peace and surety your receive as a result.
Now, I'm going to get a little stern with you, (but please know how proud I am with you at the same time! :)
We prayed to God to let Him know of the persecution that had befallen you. We didn't tell Him how to fix it, when to fix it or even why to fix it. We just prayed to Him to let Him know your desire to grow for Him, and the problems that were keeping you low and far away from Him.
Stand back in awe and fear as your LORD God moves. Do not try to barter with Him, and say something to the effect of...."okay, I didn't mean for you to respond that harshly"...because if you pray that to Him, you are doing your will and not trusting Him to do all things perfectly.
It's often scary for the growing Christians to realize for the first time how absolutely powerful their prayers are to reach the LORD God's ears! He responds quickly, and perfectly when He hears one of His children cry out!
If your brother sickens or dies, it is God's Will. You do nothing to direct the LORD God; it is His choice of movement always. Your concern should only be that you are able to grow, grow, grow toward Him! He's removed the one of the major thorns that was preventing your growth, and now you must show Him that you meant everything you have been saying.
He's cleared your path...now get going girl! He's given you a soft bed, and a place to walk without persecution. It's not time for you to worry about anyone's salvation...you focus on your spiritual journey!
If God Wills, when you are stronger, He might or might not use you to bring your brother to Christ. He also might bring another Christian in to witness to Him. Right now, you must focus all your effort and all your prayers toward growing as close to Him as you can. When that growth happens, you'll know the next task He has planned for you, and everyone He has put into your life.
I'm proud of you, and praising God that you had both a "soft bed" and a pause in persecution. Our God is so good!
Keep me posted, and give a shout if I can help in your journey!
David "Bucker" Becker
Dear Mr. Becker,
You are right! It scared me when I prayed and God acted. I shouldn't be surprised that He heard me and is protecting me.
It is so awesome to know He cares and is watching out for me. And who am I to tell God how or when to do His will? So, I will do what you say...stand back in awe and fear as my Lord God moves. And I will continue to focus on my spiritual journey and ask God to use me as He sees fit.
Thank you for showing me that it is false guilt that I was feeling!
Lou
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