Page 42 - The Gate and the Way

The Privilege of Persecution

Luke 6:22-23
“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and
spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap
for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.”

In recent days two separate articles have come to my attention that reveal that persecution
of Christians is on the increase in America. The Spirit expressly testifies that these things
will increase, and very markedly so. We are at that time which the Bible refers to as “the
beginning of birthpangs.” In order for mature sons and daughters of God to come forth, the
church must pass through a season of pain and sorrow. When it is observed that a “man
child” has come forth to the glory of God, all the pain of what was experienced will be
forgotten.

Matthew 24:8-13
“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver
you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account
of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another
and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.
And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one
who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”

John 16:21-22
“A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon
as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a
man is born into the world. And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you
again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.”

When the church observes actual instances of Christian persecution in America, the
response of many is shock and outrage. Many are tempted to resist such persecution
through whatever political or human means that are at hand. Such responses reveal a wrong
mindset, and a misapprehension of the purpose of suffering. Suffering is not a great evil to
be avoided at any cost; It is a privilege to be borne by those who are true disciples of Christ.
Let me share with you an excerpt from the first article that recently drew my attention
to the escalating persecution of Christians and their beliefs.

Gay activists get LifeSiteNews translator and pro-family activist Julio
Severo cut off by PayPal
by Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

September 19, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Under pressure from homosexual
activists, PayPal has decided to deny service to famed Brazilian pro-life and
pro-family Christian activist Julio Severo.
In additon, at least two Christian organizations targeted by the same activists
remain under investigation by PayPal and may also lose use of the service.
Severo, an Evangelical essayist who also translates for LifeSiteNews, maintains