In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 NIV
Persecution
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, if you are already in Canada or at the border and wish to get refugee protection, you need to show that you cannot return to your country of nationality or residence for a number of reasons. These include fear of persecution because you are part of an ethnic or language minority group, if you are a member of a religious minority or have converted to another faith, or you express a political opinion that causes you to be perceived as an opponent of the government.
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These are challenging times for followers of Christ in many parts of the world. Our friends at Open Doors publish the annual Global Watch List and the increase in Christian persecution in many countries is deeply concerning. The Middle East, for example, had a large and active Christian population until just a few decades ago. Not any longer. Persecution has always been a reality for those who love Jesus. The apostle Paul writes about this in 2 Timothy 3:12-13: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” When a person stands with Jesus and sees life with a Biblical worldview, we will never be understood, or accepted, by the all-accepting world. When we proclaim the uniqueness of Jesus and the need for repentance and faith, people will oppose us. Stand strong in and for Jesus anyway. The world needs Him more then they know. Live a godly life, no matter how others respond.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley