So often after reading stories of persecution, I think to myself, "Why? Why do the authorities or religious zealots torture and kill like they do?" The Christians didn't do anything to deserve that type of treatment, but still they suffer.
Then as I thought about it, I was reminded of the spiritual battle we're in every day (Eph. 6:12). It's the spirits of darkness that are really persecuting believers, even though to us it looks like wicked government officials are causing it.
Read what Karl Marx said: "We make war against all prevailing ideas of religion, of state, of country, of patriotism. The idea of God is the keynote of a perverted civilization. It must be destroyed." This is not just a depraved human speaking, the spirit behind this quote comes from the very pit of hell itself. It's Satan once again setting himself up against the Almighty God.
So, as you read stories of Christians being persecuted. Remember that there is an enemy that is behind all persecution. He's out trying to kill, steal, and destroy. However, Jesus came that we may have life and that we may have it abundantly!
Check out the Persecution Blog for more stories and updates on the persecuted church.
This post was inspired by the August 2009 VOM newsletter.
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