Ministering on Persecution

A brother called me up and fellowshipped with me to minister on persecution as many of the new believers have been undergoing persecution because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I took that as the Lord’s leading as it was also the portion I have been reading in my Bible reading portion. Thank the Lord that He worked everything together for good.

Last night I ministered on persecution according to the burden and the Lord’s leading. The Bible verses I referred to are below.

“He who loves father or mother above Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter above Me is not worthy of Me; And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his soul-life shall lose it, and he who loses his soul-life for My sake shall find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who has sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matthew 10:37-41, RecVer)

The Lord desires that His believers take up their cross and follow Him as He did, doing the will of the Father. This cross includes the price to pay in loving the Lord absolutely above all, even above father and mother, and above brothers and sisters. Surely this is a heavy price to pay especially in an Indian cultural context where parents are considered as "gods". The pint is not that one should not love their father, mother, brothers, and sisters, but to love God above them all.

When one follows the Lord, the enemy will do his best to stop by using persecution as his tool. Yet, God in His sovereignty always turns the enemy's persecution for the perfecting of the believers; in strengthening their faith and in multiplying the number of believers. This is seen in Odisha when a brother and his sons were burnt alive resulting in thousands and thousands of Oriya speaking people believing into the Lord Jesus Christ. China has a similar testimony too; as much as during the time of the early Christians beginning from the time of the incidents in the book of Acts throughout the church history till today.

Therefore, I encouraged all the believers who joined the online meeting to rejoice and exult, if they were persecuted, quoting the Lord’s promise.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and while speaking lies, say every evil thing against you because of Me. Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12, RecVer)

Persecution is an added advantage to the believers for the strengthening of their faith and the perfecting of the Christian life. In that way, as the light of world, they can enlighten the darkened people of the world. Light overcomes darkness. As light of the world, the more there are persecution, the more blessed they are. They have become living testimony for the Lord Jesus and as light of the world, many persecutors may even be gained for the Lord.

“You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city situated upon a mountain to be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and place it under the bushel, but on the lampstand; and it shines to all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.” (Matthew 5:14-16, RecVer)

Today, the leading brother informed me of the spiritual help they received through the ministry of the word. And that the persecutors' attempt to falsely charged them with "conversion" was only recognized truly as prayer meeting and the case against the new believers in a village where persecution has been going on was dropped.

May the Lord preseve all His children, make them the light of the world, and save their entire family and villagers.