How much persecution exists today in the America Christian church, and is there a need for it? More than just clashes in doctrinal differences between various denominations. An Internet search of Christian persecution brings up points of interest, one in particular showing countries of the world. America isn’t mentioned. Have we attained to a status that is persecution proof?
We’ve had our share of bad press about church leaders being caught in illegal and/or immoral goings-on, which, of course, is not persecution. Even the back-lashes affecting parishioner loyalty from crimes committed does not speak of persecution, but of consequences from hypocrisy.
The closest thing to modern-day persecution that we have experienced is attacks by special interest groups; these groups target public advertising associated with religious displays, special days, etc. Attacks on the public display of the ten commandments, for example, could be viewed as persecution, but not Christian persecution. Christ fulfilled the law and the prophets, and the old covenant was ended, swallowed up in Him. He even gave us His new commandments, which concern loving God, ourselves, and our neighbors.
Taking the word “God” off our currency won’t change the fact that He exists. I am not an idol worshiper so I don't care if the phrase “in God we trust" is on my coins, because in God I do trust. People who don’t trust God carry currency. This has always been the case. For that matter, having freedom of religion loses its gloss when we understand that this freedom--not available in some countries--is only governmental and under the jurisdiction and control of people.
When prayer is assaulted--the public use of it or having it in school, some might label this as persecution. But praying is like breathing. How can anyone stop us from silent prayer whenever, wherever. Praying in public does not make us spiritual. I have observed some Christian people having a meal out, praying aloud over their food, and sometimes the religious fervor was embarrassing. What pomp and circumstance! So I will address the “ritual” of praying over food (even though there is no condemnation in it). But sometimes we draw attention to ourselves with these demonstrations of trying to be like Jesus--in the flesh. The backlash is not persecution.
Jesus did bless food--(Strong's 2127: to speak well of). And he was speaking well of a higher food, a spiritual food that was being fed to them by Himself. If the literal food is the subject matter of praying over a meal, we better be praying for our water supply also, for we will die sooner without it. And He is the Living Water. Do we ever read of him blessing water every time they drank? Again, just symbols. However, if we must pray in public for whatever reason, it should not be disruptive. Jesus told us to go to our prayer “closets" which means we should get alone with God. Getting alone with God may be the issue, because there is discipline involved, and real passion. We needn’t force prayer on persons not interested in it. This is dogma, pure and simple, and has no power to change a person’s heart. The outward “have to’s” don’t change the inward desires.
Persecution is almost a dirty word, and if we can live a Christian life without it, aren’t we blessed? After all, it brings depictions of fleeing, hiding, being jailed, or worse. Yet Jesus said we were blessed if we suffered persecution. Paraphrasing 2 Tim 3:12, we are told that we will be persecuted if we try to live our life in Jesus Christ.
What happened to the Christian movement here in America that makes us different from China or Iran, where following Christ can get you killed? Is it because our society is comfortable with our country’s Christian beginnings instead of, say, Islamic? That is a big part of it, but there is another principal. We should never be complacent about where our true peace and safety comes from, regardless of how good our circumstances might be. We are distracted by hectic church activity directed by leaders who have no right to replace the leading of the Holy Spirit within us. No time to seek our Father for a consecrated individual leading from Him. While food banks and the like offered by Christian groups are wonderful, there is a higher calling.
Churches have turned into social outlets. Services are ordered and scheduled. Entertainment and sensationalism have replaced the Christ anointing. Appetite, greed and ambition (1 John 2:16) have taken over the agenda. The attendees are just the audience. We have giant theaters, we raise mega bucks to build bigger buildings, we have materialistic preachers with the best cars and homes. The gospel of prosperity has taken over and the simple gospel of Christ has been pushed aside. Philosophies and psychologies mingle with the truth, making the Word of God of none affect. Soul and spirit mixture leads to confusion and deception. This “mixture” speaks of Babylon, the mystery city of Rev 17.
Babylon houses the whore who sits on many waters (people). It is her voice speaking from the pulpit, it is the voice of soul. She is having a love affair with the world system, having abandoned the true lover of her soul, Jesus. She drinks in deeply all the good wines that have come from her spiritual fornication. She “sleeps around” with popular concepts and personalities, and she can be bought. Her clientele has grown, and her “house” and her “business" look beautiful and successful. But she’s still a whore, and she loves pleasure more than God. In spite of all this, God’s loving mercy will prevail, for he gives warning to his people to “come out of her” lest they fall with the city. (Rev 18:4)
Compromise, much of it forced, caused the early movement of the pure Church to die out. Persecution had been intense at the start of the first century. People were driven out of their homes and towns. Many were jailed, many were tortured, many lost their lives. Yet never in the history of the Christian movement were so many people converted. The greater the persecution, the stronger the power of Christ to draw more people into His Kingdom. The fire of true persecution brings about a presence of Christ. Why would people continue to come to Him when they knew their lives may be ending soon because of it? He showed up--in the persecution. He overtook fear and replaced it with peace, assurance, and love. A supernatural, all en-compassing love.
This powerful movement of a Living God took the Roman Empire by storm. Rome could not contain or stop it. So Constantine decided to make Christianity the national religion. Peace was made between Church and State. No more persecution. The fires died down. People were forced to be Christians without experiencing a conversion. The living Christ was pushed out of the way by men’s laws. The reality and hope of the presence of God with us died out to doctrine. The leaders were paid; Christianity became a business. Thus, the power (Spirit control) was lost and directly ahead were the Dark Ages. Guess why they were dark? No more worship in Spirit and Truth; but instead, stagnation, outward ceremonies, and law.
Today there are small, meek and humble groups--scattered about--who are walking in obedience to Jesus Christ. They have been hidden from the limelight and are mostly unknown. These groups and/or individuals are not popular because they represent God with a different message and a different sound, but they sound in unity. But the mainstream organizations that dominate our cities and airwaves, who are represented by the media as Christians, muddy up the truth of God by their love of the world.
The small amount of opposition coming against American Christians could hardly be called persecution. Congregations are man ruled and man lead; it is democratic instead of theocratic (the church of Laodicea, from the Revelation). Its religious hierarchy is the enemy of God. This is not an attack on sincere people who love Jesus Christ but are deceived; the attack is against the spirit of religion, running the show. The spirit of religion (Satan) has always been the persecutor of Truth, and true followers of Christ must experience it. This will bring about the presence of Christ, who is a consuming fire. His fire overtakes darkness--in us and outside of us. He is already here, hidden from the religious mind, ready to appear.
Persecution isn’t just about martyrdom; it isn't about literal death. I have experienced persecution and can attest to the faithfulness of Christ. When we stand for Him, He stands up in us; He is our deliverer. Persecution is about pressure, a pressure that penetrates our soul and spirit (separate arenas, though connected). Since Christ resides in our spirt, and is the target of the attack, He will appear. Persecuted martyrs were overtaken by God’s presence--even unto death. Remember the stoning of Stephen? God will not turn His back on His own. Truthfully, if we follow Christ (not in lip service), we will be persecuted.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution......
Rom 8:35
