Persecution is not a social justice issue, Part 5

Today is the final part of VOM Australia and Thirteen Three's series on persecution and social justice.

A FINAL WORD: Are we against Social Justice?

We want to be clear that we are not against social justice. The Bible has so much to say about God’s concern for the poor, the widow and the orphan. And caring for the poor is a crucial sign that we believe the Gospel. We are all for this as a real way of living out our faith!

We also don’t want to be fatalistic, “Oh, persecution is going to happen. There’s nothing we can do about it.” It is right that persecution makes us angry, and that it drives us to prayer and action on behalf of our persecuted family. It is right that we work to support them and care for them in their suffering and need.

We are not against equality, justice or freedom—but we understand there is a cost to discipleship and mission. And our call is not to stop discipleship and mission, rather our call is to unity, solidarity and partnership in discipleship and mission.

Our call is to be BOUND WITH THEM!

Thirteen Three (13:3) is a youth initiative of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. We are committed to mobilising a generation of passionate youth to be bound with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Find out more here.

Persecution is not a social justice issue, Part 4

We've been following along with VOM Australia's youth initiative, Thirteen Three, and its definition of social justice.

Some of you might be thinking, "Huh? Christians are being killed! Of course, that's a social justice issue!" Here is our final reason why it is not.

4. We are not trying to stop persecution

One of the first things persecuted Christians ask us is, “Will you pray for me?” But they don’t want us to pray that persecution will stop. They ask us to pray that God will give them strength to keep going, courage to share the Gospel and that through God’s power He would continue to grow the church.

This is also how we should pray for our persecuted family.

We’re not putting out the battle cry “Let’s stop persecution!” We’re putting out the battle cry “Let’s follow Jesus! Let’s see God’s kingdom grow in our local communities and all around the world.” There’s going to be opposition and rejection when you’re on the frontlines, so now is the time for us to learn how to prepare to be brave soldiers for Christ.

And we believe that there’s no better way to learn than by connecting with persecuted Christians who are living a faith worth dying for.

Will you be BOUND WITH THEM?

Thirteen Three (13:3) is a youth initiative of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. We are committed to mobilising a generation of passionate youth to be bound with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Find out more here.

Persecution is not a social justice issue, Part 3

So far, we've learned that following Jesus is about dying, and that Jesus promises His followers that they will be persecuted. So, what's the third reason why persecution is not a social justice issue?

3. God grows His church through persecution

God’s ways are upside-down to the rest of the world. The world looks up to the powerful, the rich, the beautiful. It tells us success comes by getting ahead of everyone else, making sure you are number one and that no-one can tear you down.

But it’s a different story for Christians. God’s power is seen in weakness, His wisdom in foolishness. Those who want to be great among us will be the servants. Life comes through death.  And growth often comes through hardship, persistently obeying Christ even though it costs you.

“Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” James 1:2-3

“We...glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5:3-4

Look back on some of the difficult times in your life and reflect on the lessons God taught you. What is he teaching you right now?

Thirteen Three (13:3) is a youth initiative of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. We are committed to mobilising a generation of passionate youth to be bound with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Find out more here.

Persecution is not a social justice issue, Part 2

This week, we’re following along with a series of posts by our sister-mission VOM Australia and thinking through why persecution is not a social justice issue. In yesterday's post, we saw that following Jesus is about dying.

Persecution is Not a Social Issue, Part 2

2. Jesus promises that His followers will be persecuted

The reality of persecution shouldn’t surprise us. We live as Christians in a world that is hostile to the Gospel, and Jesus promises us that persecution will come:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first...If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” John 15:18, 20

As we call people out of the kingdom of darkness into God’s light, there is going to be rejection because people don’t want their sin to be exposed. Many will reject the message and the messenger.

But God will still grow His Kingdom!

Today, LIFT UP your prayers today for Christians suffering for their allegiance to Christ.

Thirteen Three (13:3) is a youth initiative of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. We are committed to mobilising a generation of passionate youth to be bound with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Find out more here.

Persecution is not a social justice issue, Part 1

Our sister-mission VOM Australia has launched a youth initiative called Thirteen Three. The name refers to Hebrews 13:3 and the words “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”

Recently, Thirteen Three ran a series of blog posts about how persecution is not a social justice issue.

We’d like to share the 5-part series with you here.

Persecution is Not a Social Justice Issue, Part 1

“We are the generation that can end poverty!” Have you heard someone say this before?

Our generation loves social justice, doesn’t it? We genuinely believe that we can make an impact by righting some of the wrongs we see in the world today. As Christians, we are called to work for equality, freedom and justice in the face of oppression, evil and corruption, to care for the poor, the oppressed and the needy.

You might assume that persecution falls into the poverty/justice category. But persecution is not a social justice issue. Let me tell you why.

1. Following Jesus is about dying

“As a pastor, I believe Christians shouldn’t have to die for their faith.”

I read this quote from a well-known Australian pastor recently, and I immediately thought, “This guy has missed the whole point of following Jesus.”

Compare this with Pastor Trung who I met in Vietnam. Trung had been in prison for six years for sharing the Gospel and he told me, “I die with Christ every day!”

By definition, being a Christian is about dying—dying with Christ, dying to sin, dying to self, dying for Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor-theologian who was killed by the Nazis, said it best, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”

There is a cross to carry, but this pastor missed it. He’s missed Jesus’ call for His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross.

Over the next week we’re going to be looking at three more reasons why persecution is not a social justice issue. I hope you can join me for the ride!

Thirteen Three (13:3) is a youth initiative of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. We are committed to mobilising a generation of passionate youth to be bound with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Find out more here.

Pastor Quang released!

We reported yesterday that Vietnamese authorities demolished Pastor Quang's Mennonite Bible School in Ho Chi Minh City's district 2. Additionally, Pastor Quang was beaten and taken into custody.

Sources confirm that Pastor Quang has been released and reunited with his family. Praise God!

Stay tuned to upcoming issues of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter for a special report on Pastor Quang and his work in Vietnam.

Vietnamese officials demolish Bible school

Members of the Civil Defence and Night Watchman
oversee over the demolition.

Our sister mission VOM Australia has learned that a force of 500 Vietnamese police officers, task-force soldiers and fire brigadiers used bulldozers to demolish Pastor Quang’s Mennonite Bible School in District 2 HCMC this morning.

Pastor Quang was one of many whose homes and businesses stood in the way of commercial development by the Vietnamese government.

Pastor Quang was detained. Sources say he was severely beaten. Twenty students were also arrested and interrogated.

Please pray for Pastor Quang’s safety and health, as well as the safety and well-being of his family. Pray for his immediate release. Pray the Bible School students would stand courageous and continue to proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord.

Stay tuned to upcoming issues of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter for updates.