“I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history”–Roman Catholic Cardinal Francis George of Chicago.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. . . .If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18-20).
“. . . we must offer God’s answers to our culture’s questions, for they are the only answers that can change the human heart. An oncologist who chooses not to offend his patient by telling her she has cancer betrays both his profession and his patient. We are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but it must be the truth that we speak. If we substitute popular opinion for biblical truth, we harm both the culture and the church. Christians are entrusted with ‘the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68)–every person you know needs what you know. And we are called to ‘obey God rather than human beings’ (Acts 5:29). Only a dead fish floats with the current”–Jim Denison, Denison Forum.
“You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45a).
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3 Responses
“The hatred of Christianity is, of course, a manifestation of evil. It is Satan’s way of keeping the Truth suppressed and obscured. To discredit Christianity for its failure to live up to the precepts of Christ is in no way a discredit to Christ Himself….. It would be much wiser for the world [presuming the world could be wise] to encourage Christians to be more Christlike rather than to discredit Christianity for the failures of its followers. This would be a way to create a better world, even for non-Christians, since they and their children would be living with more gracious, honest and compassionate neighbors. I read one Jewish author who stated that he wants America to remain a ‘Christian’ nation because he believes that Judaism is safer within Christianity than it could be in any other philosophic orientation.”
From The Blossoming of the Soul,
We can draw inspiration from our brothers and sisters who are currently living in hostile nations; where to possess a Bible or mention Jesus’ name in reverence is illegal and jeopardizes one’s freedom or safety. I personally support “Voice of the Martyrs”, and encourage others to do so.
Thank You, Lord, for preparing us for the hatred of the world. Grant us courage to shine Your Light brightly, so that the darkness will not encompass us.
A great insight about the world not wanting what would make it better. We are such a broken people.
The darkest hour is just before the dawn. We have yet to see the Gospel in all of its power win even the worst of mankind along with the most of the same. Just consider the promises of the innumerable seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David (innumerable as the stars of heaven and as the sand of the seashore), along with promises like Ps.72:19; Isa.11:9;Hab.2:14; Dan.2, etc. (check the list in Jonathan Edwards’ Humble Attempt which inspired William Carey and others to plead them for the spread of the Gospel among the nations and then to attempt such a great thing for God. Also we have the prayers of over 150 years of some of the Lord’s people, e.g., Spurgeon, D.M. Lloyd Jones, etc. We must recognize the possibility of the worlds referenced in John Owen’s Death of Death in the Death of Christ being converted, along with a thousand generations of the same on earth in anywhere from 20,000-900,000 years, depending on the length of a generation. All to satisfy the requirements of the innumerable company of the redeemed in Rev.7:9. Weeping might endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.