We asked several pastors located in contexts where significant persecution occurs, whether in their location or nearby, the following question:
“How have you encouraged Christians experiencing significant persecution with the hope of heaven?”
*****
John Folmar, Pastor in the UAE
In Nizamabad, India, the farmers regularly come together to discuss the news of the day or respond to difficulties facing the community. When they face a problem, like when the price of turmeric drops too low or the goats aren’t giving enough milk, the farmers sacrifice animals to assuage the Hindu gods.
Isaac is from Nizamabad, but he has become a follower of Christ. Recently back in his home village, he explained to his fellow farmers that he only worshipped the one true God and no longer made sacrifices to other gods. They insisted that his new religion was fine, but he still had to join them in offering sacrifices because they all faced the same problem.
When Isaac refused, they responded by hanging a dead animal on his front porch, expressing their displeasure and intolerance. Isaac no longer fit in. His village no longer thought of him as one of them. He was no longer home.
So it was with Abraham.
To continue...read the full-length post originally published on this site.
