Losers: Persecutors
Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River…”
Exodus 1:22 (NKJV)
At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:25-31 (NKJV)
Persecution is a terrible crime, so let’s consider what it really means:
“Unfair or cruel treatment over a long period of time because of race, religion, or political beliefs” (Cambridge English Dictionary)
“The systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another individual or group” (Wikipedia)
“Serious human rights violations, including a threat to life or freedom, as well as other kinds of serious harm, on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group” (European Commission)
Persecution can go as far as death, but even for those whose day-to-day lives aren’t threatened with physical violence…
The “put-downs and insults they know too well… are discouraging and make “the good life” seem like a pipe dream.
Who has America persecuted? The list is long, but here are 3 entries:
Native Americans who lived here first and suffered through attempted genocide.
Black people who were enslaved by white men, and suffered its horrors for centuries.
Asian immigrants who came here to work and endured subhuman, callous treatment.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
In the midst of the gloom, here’s some good news! God put you in a position to help! In the process of rising and shining, you release love unconditionally– which invites healing and wholeness in God…
Which leads persecutors to repentance (like Paul’s jailer who realized his sins)– and the oppressed to embrace hope again!
Losers: Persecutors (Part 30)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.