II Thessalonians 1: 3-11
Persecution and Oppression - Christians in Thessalonica suffered persecution and oppression since Paul and Silas came to preach the Gospel there. At that time, the Jews became jealous seeing a large number of Greeks who believed in Jesus and assisted by some criminals from among the adventurers in the market, they entered the fray, screw up the city and seeks confronts Paul and Silas to hearing people. (Acts 17: 4-5). Apparently, fortitude and faith in the midst of persecution and oppression has been the pomp of Paul and the churches of God. Such grandeur also wrote to the believers in Rome. He glory in tribulations because he thinks misery produces perseverance and perseverance lead to resilient and resilient produces hope (Romans 5: 3-4). It is obvious that the ill-treatment and repression would produce a strong character.
Persecution and oppression is also a test of the extent to which seed of the Word of God to grow in the life of the believer. In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that the seed sown on rocky ground, are those who hear the word, immediately receive it with joy, but they are not rooted and lasting only briefly. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away. (Mark.4: 16-17) As if the land of your life? Are you a fertile soil for the word of God grew and multiplied?
Efforts and legal assistance to liberate the Church of God in Indonesia from persecution and oppression is a step that deserves our respect but the awareness that persecution and oppression is the cross to be borne, absolutely we have. Persecution and oppression will not be able to separate us from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:35).
Inspiration: The persecution and oppression will never be able to stop the growth of the church.
Moment of Inspiration.
0 Response to "Persecution and Oppression"