Google käänsi persecutions -sanam persekunnaksi

SUFFERINGS AND PERSECUTIONS-
A message to the Church
(It will come to the western countries)

Writing by Jón Bjarnastein

The topic on the persecution of the Church, is something that we as christians do not speak so much about. More or less, most western churches are shying away from it and yet the Bible speaks alot about it.

For us who want to follow Jesus, persecution is NOT an option, but a calling. As much as we have been promised to have life and have it abundantly, we have also been promised persecutions.Therefore it is important to understand that persecutions is a PROMISE and a CALLING for EVERYONE who wants to follow Jesus. A life with a lot of fruit does not come without persecution. If we say yes to bear fruit for His Kingdom, we also say yes to persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL be persecuted."

1 Peter 2:20-21. "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been CALLED, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

In many ways, churches in the western countries have looked at persecution as something negative, as it is some kind a problem for the Church. But if we look at Early Church and other countries where there is persecutions, like China, Iran and other places, persecution IS and HAS never been something negative for the Church. In fact, statistically it has shown more the opposite. BECAUSE of persecution, there has been alot of successful breakthrough and growth for the Church, where they have been spreading and multiplying and growing even stronger in faith.
The interesting part is that, It has often shown, because of persecutions, the Church are getting more eager and bolder to share the Gospel.

Philippians 1:14. "And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."

This is something we NEED more here in the western countries. Because in many ways the western christianity have been some how teaching us that a christian life is cheap. But that is NOT what the Bible is teaching us.
In matter of fact it costs us EVERYTHING.

I sometimes said this: "If Christ paid a high price, why do many live it out as cheap?"

That's why this is a message to the Church, us who are born again, we need to be prepared for persecutions, because, like it or not, there is a storm that is on the way that will hit the churches in the western countries and all over the world. A storm that will not be individual, but Global. It will be like a gold that is put to test with fire. What it not real will burn, but what its left is only PURE gold.
So it is the same way with us. Persecution will just reveal what is truly in our hearts, who will truly be standing and who is not.
There will be those who will fall away from their faith and those who will fall on their knees and Worship God and grow stronger in faith.

Which one are you going to be?
Therefore we as the Church, we MUST be prepared for persecution. We need to wake up and take time to seek God in prayer and fasting.

James 1:12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.