The Uncomfortable Truth: Why Christians Face Opposition
Have you ever felt misunderstood, judged, or even outright opposed because of your faith? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible tells us that rejection and persecution are not indicators of failure for followers of Christ; they are, in many ways, an expected part of the journey. In fact, Jesus Himself warned us: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:18-20).
Think about it: Jesus, the Son of God, experienced confusion and hostility from many during His time on Earth. Religious leaders, who should have recognized Him, actively sought to harm Him. Their hearts were closed, preventing them from seeing God’s presence right before their eyes. This same dynamic often plays out today. Those who walk in spiritual darkness struggle to understand, and sometimes actively oppose, those who walk in God’s light.
From Confusion to Conversion: God’s Surprising Power
After Jesus’ resurrection, the opposition didn’t cease. If anything, it intensified. The disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, faced threats and stern warnings from authorities who wanted them to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. But what was their response? Did they cower in fear? No!
They prayed for boldness.
In Acts 4:29, they didn’t ask for the persecution to stop; they asked God for the courage to continue speaking His word. And God responded powerfully, shaking the place where they met and filling them anew with His Spirit, so they spoke with even greater boldness.
Perhaps one of the most astonishing examples of God’s power in the face of persecution is the story of Saul. He was a zealous persecutor of Christians. He watched over the stoning of Stephen. Yet, on his way to Damascus to hunt down more believers, Jesus Himself stopped him. In a dramatic encounter, Saul’s eyes were opened to the truth, and the greatest persecutor became the greatest apostle, Paul. Let’s know that the persecutor today can turn into a zealous preacher tomorrow.
The ’40 Days of Reconciliation’ Online Course
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