When we think of being persecuted we think being thrown to the lions. Not always the case the word persecuted means – hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their ethnicity, religion, or their political beliefs: harass or annoy (someone) persistently: We live in a world of sin (Darkness)and we are called to be the light in this dark and sinful world. As all light does it exposes darkness and darkness does not like the light because it, s deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-21) And when we do we are called hateful names, and even called evil. We may be excluded from events after work because we are Christians and we may even be treated cruelly at school because we are not part of the worldly crowd. It may even go as far as within our family. But we are NOT to get discourage, we know these things are to be. We just need to stay strong in our Faith and not be moved, because we know in the end our reward will be great. Matthew 5:11-12 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
