Why are believers mistreated *
Q: Before becoming Christian, I received a lot of judgment and even hatred from people claiming to be Christians. I understood why atheists would act like *that* towards the faith, and honestly still have compassion and empathy for it.
When I recieved Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I figured I'd be on the receiving end of that from atheists. I just thought, for some reason, I'd receive less prejudice from those claiming to be Christian.
I wouldn't even say the prejudice I've received is merely double what I did before. It feels like it's increased tenfold, from every direction.
The Bible warns of this type of judging & persecution. But I haven't even been able to find fellow Christians who understand. Everyone insists that it's not as bad as the hatred that's been spread in the distant past.
I know a lot of harm has been done by hypocrisy in the church. I always lead with compassion for this but it is never reciprocated. I just receive hateful comments insisting I'm brainwashed, clueless, etc, as if I was never on the receiving end of the issues that birthed the phrase "No hate like Christian love"
The life I was saved from is one I fear I will be hard pressed to find a community of Christians open-minded enough to accept. And yet, all the circles who were previously so very accepting of me with open arms now shut me out on the very basis of my newfound faith, as if I don't have the personal experience to recognize and denounce hipocrysy.
I'm determined not to be "the seed that fell on rocky soil," so to speak. But I could use some advice and encouragement from others who've been where I now stand.
A: Not everyone who claims to be saved is. Many false cincersions, false beloevers, are used by Satan to harden peoples hearts towards Chrustianity. The world is largely unaware and blind to this truth.
People wrongly judge true believers and God; they do it by their sin nature, and in being at emnity with God... its all they "can" do. They dont probe to see if the person behaving that way is saved, cuz they dont know how to check that. Thus, this is how Christian life is... We will be treated as Jesus was, (but some nations have laws that hold back evil really going to extreme, for fear of judgment and justice by court. Being grateful to be in USA is blessing).
Life is harder for believers due to added persecution and mistreatment. We see this clearly in Bible and even Foxes Book of Myrters of believers lives, and missionary stories since then show these truths. But WE have God with us, who guides us daily and never leaves us. Our eternity will be a blessing, unlike those who die in their sins. But all whom belong to Christ will he saved and endure to the end.
Grow in the Fruit of the Spirit, what the Armor of God, get equipped to lovingly, graciously, gently and patiently answer objections and questions as you guide people to Jesus and plant seeds. We are Messengers of the Gospel, and Ambassadors of the Faith. Just be faithful and serve God regardless of how others behave, think, or what they say.
Remembering, not everyone you encounter who claims to be Christian is, and False churches, cultists and others abound. But also, we believers are all saved out of sin and into righteousness, so whatever your testimony it's equally a miracle of salvation. We are now new creatures in Christ. So the place where you are accepted is in the local church; it's the community of the redeemed. Make your home there.
It sounds like you are around varied people claiming to be believers, and not likely thos in your church. If these ones are in your church then you need to discern if theyre false converts, new/weak believers who just need to grow (so give them grace), or if the majority behave that way, esp those in leader positions, then your likely in a wishy washy/ false church and need to find a new church home.
Thus has info on things we need to understand about church and this has info to help you find a good church.
When others say those kinds of things in the future, if its not just blatant false judgment, consider What are their points for criticism? Christian humility and self-evaluation in the light of Scripture and mature Christian counsel is a major means of Christian growth. The old sin nature is pridefully noncomtemplative, as the Spirit matures us our contemplation increases so that we increasingly turn from the flesh to the Spirit as contrasted in Galatians 5. When criticized I recommend carefully considering whether there is any truth in that criticism (in prayer, Bible study, and mature Christian counsel), determine how to use the criticism for advancement in your progressive sanctification. If you find the criticism has no validity you can dismiss it as from the other person's sin nature, but the self-evaluation will improve and increase your humility and fellowship with God. What others meant for evil, turns out for your good.
Remember, our Faith focus is God & Jesus as Savior. Not fallen other people (saved or unsaved). Believers are all at different points in their salvation [years] and in their growth [new, weak, stagnant, maturing, mature], so we need to have a Christlike mindset when thinking, with every encounter we have. 😊
Hope this helps encourage you.
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