I have to admit that I know very little about what it is to be persecuted for Jesus.  Sure, I have experienced some negative reactions from others because of my relationship with Jesus Christ but I haven’t ever gone to prison for my faith, shed blood, had property destroyed, or been ex-communicated because of it.  But, I have brothers and sisters around the world who this very day are experiencing great hardship because of their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Some will even die as martyrs.

If you aren’t suffering for Jesus, are your remembering those who are?  You can start by:

1)  Increasing your awareness of what is happening around the world to fellow believers

Click here for books and Internet resources on persecuted believers.

Follow one or more of these organizations on Twitter or Facebook to keep up with what is happening.

2)  Praying for them

From there God may take you into further involvement.

If you are suffering for Jesus, even if it seems insignificant in comparison to others, here are some promises or realities to grab hold of:

    You are an overcomer because He is.  Have hope in Him.  (Jn. 16:33)
    You are secure in His love.  Hold on to it.  (Rom. 8:35)
    You are considered blessed.  Be at peace.   (Matt. 5:10-11) 
    You will be rewarded because of it.  Hang in there.  (Matt. 5:11-12)
    You will be restored.  Stand firm.  (1 Pet. 5:8-10)

With these realities comes a sense of purpose in suffering for Him, knowing that we will be okay no matter what happens which then results in:

> an ability to take heart (Jn. 16:33) and rejoice and be glad even in persecution (Matt. 5:12).

> a sense of security (Rom. 8:35-36) which in turn enables us to look beyond ourselves and care about the one who is persecuting us (Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:14).

“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

In a previous blog post I observed how Matthew 5:14 says that we are the light of the world – present tense, a matter of fact … it’s who we are as children of God.   “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases God” (Eph. 5:8-10).

In taking a stand and living for Him in this world with all its liberal and immoral agendas, the goal is not to make ourselves the issue and debate one’s point of view, but to point them to the True Light by reflecting Him in all we do … His goodness, righteousness, and truth. 

Light has many benefits.  It is when we put a bowl or basket over the light that it loses its effect.  We cover the light when . . .

* we are ashamed or too cowardly to speak up for Him  (Light boldly penetrates into the darkness.)

* we feel the need to be politically correct or tolerant rather than reflect Him  (Light stands in stark contrast to the darkness.)

* we fail to acknowledge sin in our own lives and in the world around us  (Light exposes darkness.)

* we present truth without grace (Light has a warming effect, not just one of piercing the darkness.)

Being a light in a dark world is not always easy.  We will not always be understood or accepted but don’t lose heart.  Jesus, the True Light of the World, was not recognized for who He was and what He had to offer the world (Jn. 1:4-10).  He ultimately was put to death on a cross but “for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition, so you will not grow weary  and lose heart” (Heb. 12:2-3).

Read more about being the light of the world.

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by man.” (Matt. 5:13)

In a previous blog post I observed how Matthew 5:13 says that we are the salt of the earth — present tense, a matter of fact … it’s who we are as children of God.  What I also find interesting is that rather than talk about the qualities and effects of salt, this verse only deals with salt losing its saltiness.  Why?  — probably because we need to understand the long range effect and damage it can do when we lose our testimony in the world

Could it be that we are seeing why today?  Immorality and liberal ways of thought have so infiltrated the world that people seem blind to truth.  Those who claim that there are absolute truths are viewed as arrogant and intolerant.  Those who take a stand for Christ are so often ridiculed or persecuted.  How did we get here … where Christians are seen as the ones to “be thrown out and trampled by men?”  How did the world get so far off track?

If we as Christians aren’t living as the salt of the earth, the desire for and perceived value of being a Christian decreases.  The salt is losing its saltiness!  If we Christians aren’t living as the salt of the earth, how will it be seasoned with the truth of God’s Word and His grace?  The salt is losing its saltiness when we no longer see a godly influence in the world.  It is when salt has lost its saltiness that we fail to infiltrate our society with His truth and goodness.

Don’t despair.  A salt shaker contains many grains of salt.  Though some may have lost their saltiness, not all have.  If those who want to still influence the world pull together, a little salt can go a long way!

Here is how:

* We can sprinkle God’s love on others around us.  (Salt seasons so it will make the Gospel seem more palatable. – Ps. 34:8)

* We can be ready to give an answer by consistently living according to His grace.  (Salt is always salty unless it loses its saltiness. – Col. 4:6)

* We can hold fast to the infallible Word of Truth, no matter what.  (Salt is a preserving agent so we can let the world know that His truth will not go away, no matter how they treat it. – Matt. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25)

* We can live a life of integrity rather than selfish ambition, knowing that a better day is coming.  (Salt purifies and cleanses. – 1 Jn. 1:9; 3:2-3)

As we live as the salt of the earth, God will use us to:

1. produce thirst for the Living Water (Enough salt intake and people want water.)
2. bring healing to those around us, maybe even to our land (Salt is useful as an antiseptic.)

Read more about being the salt of the earth.