Occupational Hazard!, Journey #76

[Maggie]

Journey #76
Occupational Hazard!

One can stand for religious ideals or for moral principles and be accepted in society.
However, when one affirms that in Jesus Christ alone we become children of God, this claim is received with hostility, possibly shunning or persecution.

Yet this is our message: "Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given by which we can be saved, only this one (Acts 4:12.)

The Name that was in the beginning. The Name that will be forever. The Name that is above all names.

"...God (the Father) has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name that is above every name: that at the name of Jesus, all knees will bow....and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).

Early Christians suffered in every area of life.
After the defection of Judas, ten disciples died violent deaths.
Those who chose the name of Jesus were viciously persecuted.
Families were split apart when one spouse became a follower of Jesus and the other remained a devout pagan.
As is often the case today, in some countries children were driven out of their homes by unbelieving parents.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me" (Matthew 5:10-11).

"Christianity is a religion for losers," said Ted Turner.
Jessie Ventura said that religion is just for the "weak minded."

How is it that it has become almost a hobby for the "rich and famous" to take a swipe at Christianity?
While Christians have no problem allowing any person to express his or her views on their personal faith, we are familiar with the indignation, the boo-ra-ra when someone in a public position speaks openly about personal faith in Jesus Christ.
For weeks on end they are mocked and ridiculed by comedians on television, in night clubs, and by the liberal media.

There is a battle going on today between good and evil, God and Satan.
In every culture, every country, in every heart, a war goes on.
This war has raged for centuries--it is a "holy war"---over the Name that is above all names.

When a person calls themselves a Christian-- they are identifying with Jesus Christ.
If you are identified with the Name in any way, a faithful witness, following His commands and teachings: AVOID doing or saying things that will not honor His Name.
Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

Jesus didn't say "Blessed are you if you are persecuted."
We all know religious people who are the "in your face' type---reveling in an opportunity to be persecuted.

Jesus said, "the preaching of the cross is offensive to the lost person."
These religious "in your face" bad mannered, pushy type people seem to seek persecution.
They may think they are suffering for Jesus' sake, bearing the offense of the cross, when it is that they are just simply offensive.

Believers are not to go around being obnoxious and calling it persecution.
Jesus said His followers would be persecuted because of righteousness--not self righteousness.
Righteousness is not outward activity----it's in the heart.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first," said Jesus (Jh 15:18).
Persecution still goes on today and is increasing in frequency here in America.
Church historians estimate the number of Christian men and women who died for their faith in the twentieth century is higher than in any other similar period in history.

If we live a Beatitude kind of life, will we be persecuted?
Let's compare the similarities of early Christians and today's Christians.
Imagine a carpenter or stone cutter who turned down a job working on a pagan temple.
What about a seamstress who refused to make gowns for temple prostitutes?
What were the consequences of not accepting an invitation to a pagan feast?

That was then---long ago, first century stuff.
That's not likely to happen here in a country that believes in freedom of conscience and convictions you might reply.

Christians in America have lost their jobs because they refuse to "go along to get along."
"You'll not go far in this company unless you attend the parties given by the boss."
"You are expected to play golf on Sundays with the customers" and so forth.

A distressed Christian said to me that he had been told he would have to falsify a report.
I had been told to do something similar and I had politely said I could not do that.
I don't know how that played out for him. He resigned his position soon after I left the job.
Pressure to compromise for the Christian is very common in the job place in present times.

It's a rare day in which we do not read of the persecuting of Christians in the workplace for refusing to bend or back down on what they believe.


"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." (Matthew 5:10, 11).

Christianity is not a means of deliverance from suffering.
As we become more like Jesus, we should expect to be treated like Jesus!
God loves his children, but that does not mean we will be insulated from the pain of persecution.

Jesus warns, "Remember, the words I spoke to you: "No servant is greater than his master.
If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20b).

When you are persecuted for righteousness and you file a complaint with the Lord you will be congratulated!
What's up with that when the Bible tells us to rejoice and be glad about persecution?

Congratulations? YES, for He has said, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Matt 5:12a).How can you lose?
He says, you can be happy when people are abusing you, insulting you and persecuting you --for happiness is not in circumstances.

Jesus said, "Happiness does not consist of the things a person possesses."
Happiness is not something you work for all your life.
You save and plan and finally you do something that makes you happy.
The happiness of which Jesus is speaking is the result of doing something and then some way or another in the process you find that you are happy....when that was not your goal at all...you really weren't pursuing happiness!

You see, happiness is a by-product. It's not something you set out there as a goal saying: I'm going to be happy and here's what I have to do to get there.
It doesn't work that way.
It works in the steps we just studied in the Sermon on the Mount.

I'm happy in what I'm doing, but I didn't start what I'm doing to be happy.
I didn't start teaching children about Jesus Christ to be happy.
When God called me to teach, I surrendered in obedience to Him and I never thought about whether I would be happy or not.

Truthfully speaking, I really didn't want to teach because I didn't want to have to deal with other people's children.
But I am happy----and it is not something I set out there as a goal to be attained.
Happiness is a by-product of doing what God wants you to do.
It's not doing it in order to be happy. Happiness comes when you obey God. Yahoo!
There is no other way in this world to find happiness.
The world and what it has to offer will not bring you happiness.
It will persecute you for righteousness' sake.

Jesus warns, "If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20b).
Following Him is hard and it will cost.
Do you think Jesus was crucified on a Tempure-pedic mattress?
Yes, it's hard----BUT have you thought of the cost IF you don't follow Him?
You cannot go with God and stay where you are.

Jesus announced that some would not be willing to pay the price.
What they don't realize is that the cost of not following Jesus is far most severe.
Jesus said, "Whoever want to save his life will lose
it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it" (Mk 8:35).
Jesus said, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets (of old) before you" Matt 5:12.

Rejoice! We are in great company; the prophets took their licks, too.
We can rejoice not only because we have a great reward, but do you know that
Jesus said our reward will be GREAT in heaven. We get a bonus!!
W may not understand all that means, but Jesus tells us it will be great!

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fires, you will not be burned (wiped out)..."
Exodus 43 2, 3.

In the midst of suffering, in the midst of persecution, He is with us.
No matter what happens, GOD IS GREATER THAN ALL OF IT!!

"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward."

[Jane]

I had to read aol this before I could go to sleep and it is great teachings of what Jesus had to say about perscutions on this earth, He didnt promise earthy riches and easy days, He told you what you might have to endure here and still put your faith in him