"When you change what you believe,

You Change what you do"



This was another quote from our change theory class for PBL. I think it was talking about the stage of change that when you realize that the change is good then you become more willing to complete the change.

During Bible Study last night I was remind about this quote, we were discussing persecution and how their is this understanding that experiencing persecution is a part of our faith. A question was raised about that if we are not persecuted then are we really a Christian since it says that all Christians are to be persecuted?

A point was raised from the perspective of the persecuted church. Those who are persecuted made the choice of following Christ because the had a full grasp of what he did for them and what he deserves. When they change from a person trapped in sin to a person following Christ they know that they have to change. It's either all in or nothing. Makes sense; I don't think a person there would want to die for "fire assurance"-- as we seem to use it in North America. We choose to say yes to Christ because that way we know we are going to heaven. But is that really changing anything? If we are not doing anything about it have we really changed? Have we made that commitment to Christ?

So how does this relate back to persecution? Well lets connect the dots. Change often is a good thing but also can bring discomfort. Following Christ is more then just going to church every Sunday and reading you bible. Its about change, sacrifice and commitment. Here in North America we have comfort and safety blanks all around us. So what if we started shedding those things off? What if instead of getting the nicest car getting a used one to give more money away? Or living in not the nicest house? or giving up the unlimited texting plan to have a little more to give to offering?

Yes, I understand that these things are not like being physically persecuted in China. But persecution does not have to be physical, it could be emotional too.

We are surrounded by safely nets and comfort blankets, shed some of those off and let yourself be exposed to persecution around you. It will come. I think we almost have to put ourselves there. But if we do those around us will know who our God is! It comes down to this; Soli de Gloria!