Read Mark 14:66-72
I Don’t Like Being Persecuted!
Shortly after Jesus was arrested and taken before the high priest, Peter was in the courtyard nearby. Twice the servant girl of the high priest accused Peter as knowing Jesus. He denied it twice. Later, a group of people were adamant in saying that Peter was a follower of Jesus. This Time Peter denied Jesus but then went as far as to call down curses on the people and swore that he did not know Jesus.
Immediately Peter heard a rooster crow a second time and Peter remembered Jesus saying that before the rooster crowed twice, that Peter would deny him three times. Peter broke down and wept.
How will I handle people accusing me of being a Christian or follower of Jesus?
2 Timothy 3:12 says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Philippians 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.”
In other words, it’s natural for us to be confronted or attacked for our faith in Jesus.
I’ve drawn three conclusions when it comes to persecution:
1. If we love people like Jesus did, then we are less likely to be persecuted because people are drawn toward those who know how to love them.
2. If we are walking in Holiness like Jesus did, then there are definitely those who will make fun of us or bully us because our lifestyle is different from theirs.
3. If people know we are a Christian they will immediately hate us, despise us, want to do evil towards us, belittle us, hurt us, or even kill us. What drives this hate is the labels they put on Christians. Some people look at Christians as being intolerant and unloving. Just knowing you are a Christian, people assume you hate them because their lifestyle is different than ours. Many can’t handle that. What I find interesting is they attack you for being “intolerant” while they themselves are being intolerant towards the Christians.
I don’t like people knowing I’m a Christian until they get to know me. Because some have such negative labels towards Christians. Instead, if possible, I want to interact with people and let them see who I am first in the way I love and treat them. And then let them know I’m a Christian because I believe that if they see who I really am, that I don’t fit the mold of what they think Christians really are, then I have a better chance of influencing them towards a relationship with Jesus.
Lord, if people attack me because of my faith, help me not deny you but to be steadfast and faithful with my walk with you. Amen!
