"Persecution Today"

Christian persecution is any hostility, experienced from the world, as a result of

ones identification with Jesus Christ. This can include hostile feelings, attitudes,
words and actions. But what does the Bible mean by the word persecution? In
Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says in the Beatitudes that persecution is a blessing. Not
one that many of us ever desire!
Jesus also defines the word for us in Luke 6:22 using four verbs. He says, Blessed
are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your
name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Note that it is Jesus in you who is the
reason for and the target of persecution.
In Romans 8:17, the Apostle Paul tells us, Now if we are children, then we are heirs
heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order
that we may also share in His glory. So when we share in Jesus sufferings (hatred,
exclusion, insults and rejection) we become heirs who will also share in His glory.
The four verbs above can be experienced in varying degrees of intensity.
Unfortunately many Christians today, operate under the assumption that
persecution is a part of the Churchs past. The truth is that there are members of
the Body of Christ that currently face severe persecution and restrictions as a result
of their faith in Jesus Christ. Every day of every year and on every continent men
and women face persecution because of their belief in Jesus Christ.