The Reality of Persecution
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
In the past year, 360 million Christians (1 in 7 believers around the world) suffered significant persecution for their faith. I don't know if you have ever been persecuted for your faith or overlooked for a raise or promotion because of your faith, but it happens.
Maybe you were pushed out of a social ring because you decided to follow Jesus. Maybe you’ve been affected relationally or professionally because of what you believe. While that is a tough situation to face, when it comes to these statistics, I am talking about people who have been significantly persecuted for their faith.
In 2021, more than 16 believers were killed every day for following Jesus. Some 6,000 martyrs were killed for their faith in 2021.
In the last 2,000 years, 70 million believers have been killed for their faith. About two-thirds of that number were killed in the last 100 years! The Center for the Study of Global Christianity said 900,000 were martyred in the last decade alone.
When Jesus said you will experience suffering, He was very serious. Some suffering would end in death for those who follow Christ. Thank the Lord that we live in a country that gives us the freedom of our faith. But that’s not the case for everyone.
I share these statistics with you for two reasons. First, to remind you that persecution is real, and following Jesus costs us as believers. Just because we live in America where we have freedom of religion doesn’t mean we can forget that truth. And second, we need to remember to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. We need to pray for their strength, their boldness, and their safety. After all, the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 1:5).
Following Jesus isn’t easy. It comes with suffering. That’s been guaranteed by Jesus, but at the end of the day, no matter what it costs us to be believers, we can trust that what awaits us in eternity will be worth any hardship or persecution we face on this earth.
In the past year, 360 million Christians (1 in 7 believers around the world) suffered significant persecution for their faith. I don't know if you have ever been persecuted for your faith or overlooked for a raise or promotion because of your faith, but it happens.
Maybe you were pushed out of a social ring because you decided to follow Jesus. Maybe you’ve been affected relationally or professionally because of what you believe. While that is a tough situation to face, when it comes to these statistics, I am talking about people who have been significantly persecuted for their faith.
In 2021, more than 16 believers were killed every day for following Jesus. Some 6,000 martyrs were killed for their faith in 2021.
In the last 2,000 years, 70 million believers have been killed for their faith. About two-thirds of that number were killed in the last 100 years! The Center for the Study of Global Christianity said 900,000 were martyred in the last decade alone.
When Jesus said you will experience suffering, He was very serious. Some suffering would end in death for those who follow Christ. Thank the Lord that we live in a country that gives us the freedom of our faith. But that’s not the case for everyone.
I share these statistics with you for two reasons. First, to remind you that persecution is real, and following Jesus costs us as believers. Just because we live in America where we have freedom of religion doesn’t mean we can forget that truth. And second, we need to remember to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. We need to pray for their strength, their boldness, and their safety. After all, the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 1:5).
Following Jesus isn’t easy. It comes with suffering. That’s been guaranteed by Jesus, but at the end of the day, no matter what it costs us to be believers, we can trust that what awaits us in eternity will be worth any hardship or persecution we face on this earth.
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3 Comments
Praying for Israel as well as others in other countries. Praying for America to turn back acknowledge Jesus please pray for family members to be born-again saving grace 🙏
I choose to follow Jesus. I have been called a Jesus freak in the past. I got ridiculed for being such. I am so thankful for the couple that encouraged me to go to Westside 30 years ago so that I could grow in my faith in Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. And to live my life for Jesus
JESUS has provided everything We need. It is Our best decision to Trust The LORD for His GRACE ! Thank You FATHER GOD 🎑🎆