One person was frustrated witnessing so many followers of Christ walking to churches on Sunday morning carrying their Bibles. He shouted at them, “Why are you following a convicted criminal who died on a cross?” Why is there so much hatred against Christians around the world? The Lord warned and promised of hatred against the followers of Christ, who will not have any reason or cause. (John 15:25) Their hatred is against at least four aspects of the gospel that are targets of persecution.
Christ: Many religions claim high philosophy, lofty ideas, and marvellous thoughts. But none of them has the Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate personality. Any person who lives an extraordinary life of nobility is always compared with Christ in all nations and among all cultures. Hence, like the priests who were envious of the Lord, most religious people are envious and frustrated that their religions could not produce a person like Christ.
Church of God: Detractors of the Christian faith are annoyed by the global Church. When empires rose and fell, emperors persecuted, but died; economies rose and fell, intellectuals rose to condemn the church and fall; the Church stands amidst all torrents of attacks. Political, intellectual, religious, cultural, economic, national, governmental and social attacks on the Church always failed. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church. (Matthew 16:18)
Kingdom of God: The gospel proclaims the Kingdom of God, God’s rule over individuals, families, communities, nations, continents and all earth. When kingdoms, dictators, emperors, and religious leaders yearn for the loyalties of humans, a great number of humans, both inside and outside the church, follow biblical values. The Kingdom values become norms that nations against the bible are forced to adapt to.
Righteousness of God: Many people, including intellectuals and nations, disregard and even mock the righteousness of God. The Bible proclaims the righteous requirements of God, and the Church declares that to the world. Unrighteous religious, political, cultural and social leaders are allergic to God’s righteousness, as they are selfish, privileged and wish to hold on to power.
Am I targeted for having the priority of the Kingdom and Righteousness of God?