The Christian Arouses Persecution Because He Interferes
The Christian interferes with prejudices. He interferes with the comfortable use of lewd humor. He interferes with sinful pleasures. The Christian will not go along with the flow. He just doesn’t fit in with the carnal world.
Christian ethics sometimes even dare to interfere with the sacred cow of business. When Jesus went into the temple and turned over the tables of the moneychangers, they were mad as hornets! That very afternoon they entered into a conspiracy to kill Him.
Paul had his clothes torn off and was thrown into jail at Philippi for interfering with the business of some slave owners. A mob at Ephesus tried to tear him limb from limb because his Christian principles were ruining their business. They were getting rich making statues of the goddess Diana. When Paul preached against idolatry and when the people listened, the rich suddenly faced poverty. Their solution? Kill Paul!
Rejoice in Trials
When persecution comes, what will we do? When a world driven by lust and greed reviles us for righteousness’ sake hat will we do?
Jesus recommends that we rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Don’t mope and whine. Go home, burst through the door with a smile on your face and day, “Sweetie, they’re lying about me again!
Jesus says, “Congratulations!” In being persecuted we join the distinguished company of the prophets and martyrs who went before us. We are following in their footsteps. Persecution is living proof that we are members in good standing of the kingdom of heaven and have become a threat to Satan and his kingdom.
Source: Being Happy In An Unhappy World
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