Every day, Christians around the world experience persecution – harassment, abuse, rape, assault, slavery, unjust imprisonment, and death.
Christians in over 60 countries face daily persecution from their governments or those living close to or with them because of belief in Jesus Christ, according to the U.S. Department of State. The persecution of Christians should be of concern to all those who profess belief in Jesus Christ for humanitarian, economic and political, and religious reasons.
Christians in over 60 countries face daily persecution from their governments or those living close to or with them because of belief in Jesus Christ, according to the U.S. Department of State. The persecution of Christians should be of concern to all those who profess belief in Jesus Christ for humanitarian, economic and political, and religious reasons.
Humanitarian Reasons We, As Christians, Should Be Concerned About Christian Persecution
Countries that persecute Christians are often the same countries that deny their citizens other basic human and social rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and the ability to determine one’s occupation and receive an adequate education. In addition:
- These countries usually lack adequate food, clothing, and shelter, often placing a burden on neighboring countries.
- People fleeing countries where persecution occurs, create imbalanced populations.
- Fleeing refugees experience difficulty settling and readjusting to a new culture.
Economic and Political Reasons, We, As Christians, Should Be Concerned About Christian Persecution
Christian persecution creates problems that economically impact the rest of the world. Religious beliefs and traditions form the foundation of a healthy society with stable beliefs and a basis for morality. When a country persecutes its citizens for their religious convictions, the very fabric that holds its society together is destroyed. Economic chaos and political unrest usually result.
Often entire communities are devastated. Economic and political burdens are placed not only on the citizens of the country involved but on its neighbors, as those who are persecuted flee from danger.
Religious Reasons We, As Christians, Should Be Concerned About Christian Persecution
Every day children are orphaned as parents are killed. Women are widowed and left without the emotional and financial support of husbands who are killed or imprisoned.
The Bible says in James 1:27 (New International Version – NIV) that “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Thus, Scripture admonishes us to care for those left suffering and alone.
Day to day living conditions for Christians in many countries are deplorable. For example, Christian families in Egypt are rejected by the government, forcing entire Christian communities to live in the slums on the outskirts of Cairo. They survive collecting and recycling garbage. Without the basic necessities of life, they suffer from disease and illness.
In Romans 12:5 (New International Version – NIV), the Bible tells us: “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Therefore, Christian persecution becomes a shared experience for the members of the body of Christ; as our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer, so do we.
So, what should be our response to Christian persecution?
First of all, we should pray for those who persecute Christians (Matthew 5:44). We must also stay informed about the reasons for persecution and watch for opportunities to assist those who come to this country seeking religious freedom.
Finally, you can encourage your local congregation to be actively involved in assisting those who suffer persecution for their religious belief. Encourage them to schedule a screening of Joshuacord’s new documentary, Christians In the Mirror. Only with knowledgeable involvement can we begin to stem the increasing occurrence of violence against and persecution of Christians.
