Joining The Perscution

I now have joined my persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. I already have had to give up my houses, and family members for Christ's sake, I find my faith being attacked by my land lord, "Lastly, I would ask that you please stop discussing your religion and political beliefs with our vendors and residents of the building. I have had remarks for a couple of vendors and tenants saying that discussion of religion has made them feel uncomfortable." (Land Lord). This is a violation of my 1 Amendment Rights, "The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.  It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices.  It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.  It also guarantees the right of citizens to assemble peaceably and to petition their government." (Conwell University of Law), but worse it is violation of the Great Commission, "Go and make disciples,"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28;19), "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," (Mark 16:15). I must answer such a command in fashion of the Apostles, "But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority," (Acts 5:29).

I have read and been educated by news sources on how Syria Christians are being persecuted, even crucified in the streets, and that in other countries other brothers and sisters in Christ are being persected. Well I can confirm outside of reports of Nativity's being illegal, crosses taking out Catholic school rooms, and more; that I am in my own apartment being persecuted and asked to keep my faith and religion to my self. I haven't even be very vocal about my beliefs, and the vendors and risidents have been the ones asking me about religion and politics. It is hard to believe in supposed "land of the free" I am having my First amendment rights violated and worse, spiritual abuse. I want to raise red flag, its not just hype or in counties of America, or federal buildings that the Christian faith is persecuted, no I live in an apartment complex, luxury apartments. We are told by Jesus Christ, "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these," (Mark 12:31), well one of ways I love myself is that I accepted the gospel (Romans 10:9-10), so my landlord is asking me to not love my neighbor.

Persecution has now touched my life, and I now better understand horrible feeling of having gag order, someone telling you not to share your faith, like Apostles did, "Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:18-20). It is my prayer that all who persecuted in the smallest measure like myself, or in worst say Syrian crucifixions, that we be thankful to suffer for Christ's name, "Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well , But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me," (John 15:20-21), and "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22). We are blessed and should rejoice if we suffer for Christ's sake, "The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus," (Acts 5:41), "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps," (1 Peter 2:21), "So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin," (1 Peter 4:1), "But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory," (1 Peter 4:13), "And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering," (Romans 8:17), "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death," (Philippians 3:10), "if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us," (2 Timothy 2:12), "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple," (Luke 14:27), "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake," (Philippians 1:29), "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. " (Matthew 5:10-12), For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps," (1 Peter 2:19-21), And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved," (Matthew 10:22), "But the one who endures to the end will be saved," (Matthew 24:13), "And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ," (Acts 5:40-42), "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name," (1 Peter 4:16), and many more Bible verses about suffering for Christ. May you be blessed brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer and are persecuted. You are not alone. In U.S.A (United States of America) is one who knows what it means to lose houses, family, and now to be forbidden by an authority to share the faith. You are not alone.