Something that can at times be hard to talk about in Christianity is the subject of persecution of Christianity. There are many that will argue that it is Christians that are the main perpetrators of persecuting and colonizing others throughout history as opposed to the other way around. This topic is a good one I would love to discuss later, especially after researching it more, but as of now, I would like to talk to Christians about what the Bible, history, and the modern day say about Christians being persecuted.

To start, the Bible does not say, as many believe, that all Christians will be persecuted. Rather, it says all Christians that choose to live a godly life will suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

1 Peter 4:12 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

If you choose to do what is right, such as soul win, not live immorally, or put the things of God such as church above your job, you will be persecuted to some extent. Whether this is rejection or verbal disapproval (which is relatively minor persecution) or in some places disowned, beaten, imprisoned, or even murdered, all Christians choosing to live this way will suffer somehow from it.

Historically, this has been true. The first Christians were hated by religious leaders who saw their followers turning to Christianity.

Acts 5:16-18 -There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Later, the Roman Empire hated them for not joining the empire's requirement that all in the empire worship the emperor in some way shape or form. Many movements were created to murder all Christians and totally desecrate them. When they adopted Christianity as the state religion, they kept their imperialistic mindset and applied it to Christianity, using it to destroy all who would not conform to their specific version of Christianity in similar manners to the empire before it. This included those deemed heretics, non-believers, and eventually Protestants.

Eventually, different forms have come over the years. Some were aimed specifically at Christians, while others were aimed at many different groups, and Christians just happened to be one of the many hated groups. Some act like they accept Christianity, but only accept a very modified version from the Bible that doesn't even match what the Bible teaches anymore, such as in Communist China or Nazi Germany. Both allowed Christianity as long as they supported the wicked things the government did and followed its strict rules.

In the modern day, three forms of real persecution exist. There are those that allow Christianity to exist, but it must be a pinpoint in the culture. You may be a Christian, as long as you never, ever share this information about your personal religion with anyone else. Churches are forbidden except for specified places. Bibles are forbidden, especially among the natives, even if they want them. I'm not talking about how in some cultures sharing the Gospel is frowned upon, I'm talking about countries where it is totally illegal, and prison or death is the consequence for soul winning. This also includes countries that put to death or imprison those that convert to Christianity.

Second are those countries where legally you are free to do as you wish, but socially it is frowned upon. In some places, you may become a Christian, but your family will disown you, you will lose your job, and the police may ignore when you are abused. These places are not as bad as what is mentioned above when looking at the laws, but they still culturally hate Christianity. Often Christians are falsely accused of crimes they did not commit, such as burning other religion's holy books, giving gifts merely to bribe the inhabitants to Christianity, lying, or sexual immorality.

Third and final of these are those where Christianity is not tolerated but nearly all other ways of thought are. This is more of the Western form, and is much more mild compared to the other two. Those who are Christians are thought of as bigots, stupid, or are stereotyped. People may be open minded to any number of philosophies and ideas, but Christianity is "evil" and "oppressive," often without giving it a real chance. Again, Christianity may be accepted if it rejects everything that makes it distinct as a religion, but only then is it acceptable. These cultures may also falsely accuse all Christians of the actions of a few or in a similar manner to what is mentioned above.

In the future, Christians shall be hated everywhere by everyone. It will eventually come to a point where those that murder us think they do God's will.

John 16:2 - They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.‭

Now that we have an idea of what persecution is, I would like to also briefly mention what persecution is not.

Persecution is not –

Someone disagreeing with you, especially if they are respectful.

Someone saying you may soul win, but not at certain times or places. If a store says not to leave tracks on their property, a Christian needs to be respectful of that. If a nation as a whole says not to soul win, that is a problem. Christians should try to follow the rules as well as they can until they must break them to obey God.

Someone making a well-intentioned joke about Christianity (especially if they tell jokes about all religions).

Someone getting upset if you are being pushy about your faith towards them. To know the difference between you being pushy and forceful and you merely doing your duty as a Christian basically has to do with respecting others boundaries. If someone tells you they don't want to talk about religion, do you respect that? Are you mocking or belittling in your tone? Are you always telling everyone what they should or should not do regardless of whether they want to hear it or not? Then it would be no surprise that they are upset. Rather than forcing what we know is true on others, we need to pray for God to give us an opening, not force one open.

Someone getting upset when you disrespect their religion. Saying you believe something is not true or refusing to take part in their religion is one thing. Even telling people it is fake boldly can be acceptable in certain situations. Going around telling others about how "stupid," "evil," or "backward" their religion is in a condescending tone though is not ever acceptable, and does not breed love in the relationship. Telling jokes about sensitive or taboo topics in a religion, unless initiated first by the other person, is not acceptable ever, least of all to those who we want to show God's love.

1 Peter 2:20 - For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

When Christians take these situations and act like they are being persecuted, it makes real Christian persecution look insignificant. Many non-Christians think persecution of Christianity is a myth, yes partially because Satan propagates that idea, but also because Christians act like certain things are persecution when they really aren't. They're just natural consequences of being unkind and rude.

During this time though, let us know that persecution is very real. Many Christians now are tortured or killed for merely saying Jesus is God and they trust Him alone for salvation. We need to act as God instructs in these situations.

Pray for those who are persecuted. Pray they would be faithful, God would comfort them, and that if it God's will they would be set free.

Hebrews 13:3 - Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Pray for the persecutors. Pray God would have mercy on them and that they would get saved.

Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Volunteer your talents to the work of the ministry concerning the persecuted. Bible translating, visiting, and teaching are all needed. God may have gifted you to help the persecuted specifically.

Write letters to the persecuted to let them know you care.

Be comforted by the knowledge that all persecution is temporary and a reward waits for all those who suffer.

1 Peter 4:13-14 -But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

These things can really help. Ultimately though, God's will will be done, and in the end Christianity shall triumph when Christ returns. That is why we must pray that those that hurt others will see the light before it is too late. We shouldn't want the wrath of God upon them, but instead hope they repent so that they too can join us in peace.