Interesting Questions-154
'They will also persecute you ...'
Letter to the Editor:
GOD'S MESSAGE, April 2012, p.3
IT'S NOT THAT I want to hide it from my family, but I'm just waiting
for the right time before I formally tell my parents that I'm in the
process of entering the Church Of Christ ... One of my cousins
converted to the Iglesia Ni Cristo before and our
whole clan, including my parents, denounced him for doing that ...
For a long time, I studied this Church and I'm convinced that this
is of God. However, the thought of being rejected by my family
sometimes haunts me. Could you please counsel me?
Miss Sophie
Bohol, Philippines
Editor's reply:
We fully understand your predicament. Many other
brethren have experienced the same. When found listening to the
doctrines of the Church, many are indeed persecuted, others are even
disowned by their loved ones and close friends. By faithfully
adhering to what is right nonetheless, many of us have either
appeased or drawn even their once persecutors into the true Church.
Persecution is part of Christian life. Our Lord
Jesus Christ, who Himself had been severely persecuted, forewarned
that this would also happen to those who would become His disciples.
He said:
"Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A
servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me,
they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will
keep yours also" (John 15:20, New King James Version).
The Lord Jesus Christ admonished that people would
be persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matt. 5:10). The
righteousness is the gospel or God's words, which is His power for
salvation (Rom. 1:16-17). It is not surprising therefore that many
who have decided to listen to the gospel as taught in the Church Of
Christ experience various persecutions.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:10, NKJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is
revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
“The just shall live by faith." (Rom. 1:16-17,
NKJV)
Christ also taught that foremost among those who
may persecute His servants are members of their respective families:
"Your worst enemies will be the members of
your own family" (Matt. 10:36, Today's English Version).
If situations like this would arise, Christ
exhorts us to love Him more, showing that our love for Him
transcends our love for anyone else:
"Those who love their father or mother more
than me are not fit to be my disciples; those who love
their own son or daughter more than me are not fit to be my
disciples". (Matt. 10:37, Ibid.)
Besides, even if a true servant of God is
abandoned by his parents he is never alone for as the Psalmist says:
"My father and mother may abandon me, but the
LORD will take care of me" (Ps. 27:10, Ibid.).
Let us be inspired therefore by the apostles who,
in spite of being beaten and warned not to do the Lord's will
courageously continued to preach in His name. They remained
steadfast in the faith amid great dangers to their lives (Acts
5:40-42).
40 And they agreed with him, and when
they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they
commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go.
41 So they departed from the presence of
the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame
for His
name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the
Christ. (Acts 5:40-42, NKJV)
They stood for the truth unshaken because of their
assurance that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake will
inherit a great reward−the eternal life in the Holy City (Matt.
5:10-12; II Thess. 1:4-5; Rev. 7:14-17).
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and
persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My
sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for
great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the
prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12, NKJV)
4 so that we ourselves boast of you
among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your
persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
5 which is manifest evidence of
the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; ( II Thess. 1:4-5, NKJV)
14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones
who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore they are before the throne
of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits
on the throne will dwell among them.
16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor
thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of
the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of
waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev.
7:14-17, NKJV)
Earnestly pray that our Lord God may give you the
strength to do what He wants. Also pray for your loved ones that
they may be enlightened. Invite them also to listen to God's words
as taught in the Church Of Christ.
___________________
Note: Some cited verses are
printed in full to facilitate study.
Bible Study
Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free
to visit the
Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or
an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question
you have in mind.