Counting the cost: Persecution brings TRUE unity in the Body of Christ
When the chips are down; and times get hard we will look for any solace in a storm. As with anything; at least as long as a church service as we are used to attending in a building is allowed (which may not be too much longer) what stands the test of time are those who stick closer than a brother ( Prov. 18:24) which is contrasted with those more shallow relationships that persecution will find tends to back away. When someone has a relative martyred for the faith such as a Deacon in my current church it helps put things into perspective; and it is a blessing to see him and his family; where his wife; 3 kids; mother and mother in law are all believers along with someone else they know from their native country (I won't mention where). I met another individual from an African nation who had a number of fellow servants in the Lord martyred when witnessing to surrounding countries on a clandestine mission.
Tough times are unbearable to think about in our own strength; but i will say that they tend to simplify everything; when we aren't so focused on distractions. It is no accident that countries with the highest level of persecution tend to be the places where people spend hours rather than minutes in prayer and services for the Lord as it comes with a high cost; and one never knows if the next service will come to pass. When you have to travel for miles barefoot it makes you appreciate more the fellowship of the saints and the unity thereof.
Less is more in many ways; godliness and contentment is great gain ( 1 Tim. 6:6). Would there be more that would open their homes to Bible study; prayer and going out to evangelize on a regular basis. Such was my experience in the past; for now I am taking care of elderly parents but if He tarries I plan to return to this type of fellowship wherever that may be. Laboring in the fields isn't fun; and costs some time; but builds our faith.
When the chips are down; and times get hard we will look for any solace in a storm. As with anything; at least as long as a church service as we are used to attending in a building is allowed (which may not be too much longer) what stands the test of time are those who stick closer than a brother ( Prov. 18:24) which is contrasted with those more shallow relationships that persecution will find tends to back away. When someone has a relative martyred for the faith such as a Deacon in my current church it helps put things into perspective; and it is a blessing to see him and his family; where his wife; 3 kids; mother and mother in law are all believers along with someone else they know from their native country (I won't mention where). I met another individual from an African nation who had a number of fellow servants in the Lord martyred when witnessing to surrounding countries on a clandestine mission.
Tough times are unbearable to think about in our own strength; but i will say that they tend to simplify everything; when we aren't so focused on distractions. It is no accident that countries with the highest level of persecution tend to be the places where people spend hours rather than minutes in prayer and services for the Lord as it comes with a high cost; and one never knows if the next service will come to pass. When you have to travel for miles barefoot it makes you appreciate more the fellowship of the saints and the unity thereof.
Less is more in many ways; godliness and contentment is great gain ( 1 Tim. 6:6). Would there be more that would open their homes to Bible study; prayer and going out to evangelize on a regular basis. Such was my experience in the past; for now I am taking care of elderly parents but if He tarries I plan to return to this type of fellowship wherever that may be. Laboring in the fields isn't fun; and costs some time; but builds our faith.
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