Persecution is alive and well.
Today's headlines bear that out.
It has existed almost since the dawn of
humanity.
It began with the very first generation
of humans born to Adam and Eve.
The result of that persecution was that
Cain murdered his brother Abel.
Persecution, however, sprang into the
world as a result of envy and hatred.
Cain envied his brother's relationship
with God and then hated him for it.
God gave Cain sufficient warning.
Genesis 4:7 (NET) - “Is it not
true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do
not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to
dominate you, but you must subdue it.”
Cain was so blinded by his hatred that
he ignored God's warning.
Sin desired to dominate Cain and he
failed to subdue it.
Cain then murdered his brother Abel and
was punished by God.
That was just the beginning.
One only has to look at history to see
the results of persecution through the ages.
Literal millions have died as the
result of persecution.
Millions more have been maimed and
disfigured.
And still, persecution arises out of
hatred.
Why does hatred continue to have such a
strangle hold on mankind?
Personally, I think
much of today's hatred has its root in fear.
One group hates another because, deep down, they fear the differences
between them.
Perhaps it is because they are of different races or different
religions or different political ideologies.
If left unchecked, sin uses that fear to dominate mankind.
Fear crouches at the door just as God warned.
Once inside that door, it quickly festers into hatred.
Once this happens, can persecution be far behind?
As a Christian, this forces me to ask the question, “What can we
do?”
We can break the cycle but first we have to be willing do what many,
even the best among us, struggle to do.
We can forgive and pray for those who hate.
We must heed the warning God gave Cain and not allow sin to dominate
us.
We must do what Jesus instructed us to do even if we initially find
it difficult or distasteful.
Luke 6:27-28 (NET) - “But I say
to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who
hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat
you.”
Isn't it time to break the cycle of fear, hatred and persecution?
Remove any and all fear and hatred from your heart and allow His
peace which exceeds all understanding to enter.
Pray for those that persecute.
Pray for those that know only hatred.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
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