Persecution is Normal for China Christians

 “We have heard a rumor that people in the West are saying that there is no persecution of Christians in China,” began the letter from a group of Chinese believers.

    “More than one hundred brothers are imprisoned here, and many young Christians under eighteen are under strong pressure from the police. Some were thrown in manure pits; others were beaten with electric-stun batons; some were beaten so much they could not stand and could only crawl.
    

“A few could not endure this. They revealed the names and addresses of their fellow workers to the police. They were sentenced, whereas those who said nothing were eventually released because of insufficient proof.

    “Persecution is normal for us. In many cases, we are released after interrogation. Then we return to our original area to preach.

    “Some teenagers want to dedicate themselves to God for full-time Christian service. Turned out of their homes, they are willing to spend their entire lives in this dangerous wandering fashion as evangelists. We see this with fear and trembling, fearing that after preaching the gospel ourselves, we may be castaways.

    “We have paid a great price for the gospel—much blood and sweat, many tears shed, many lives sacrificed, and much braving of wind and rain.”

Rumors that the persecution of Christians in China has ended are surely false. In fact, these rumors may be tools that the enemy uses to suppress the prayers and support that these persecuted believers need. Often we feel that if we tell ourselves that something isn’t so, then maybe it really isn’t. If we shield ourselves to the accounts of persecutions and the stories of sheer survival, then we may begin to believe oppression doesn’t exist. We cannot hide or deny the truth long enough for it to change, however. Our brothers and sisters are being persecuted today in restricted nations. Knowing this, what is your response? Will you pray? Serve? Give? Spend some time thinking and praying about your reaction.

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