Prosecution or Persecution?

Prosecution or Persecution?

What's the difference?

Prosecution is the formal action of legally pursuing charges against someone who may have committed a crime. The person accused of a crime always has a right to a fair trial and proper defense. 

Persecution involves harassing people who are different in terms of "origin, religion or social outlook." Persecuting is hatefully targeting an individual or people, and it is wrong.

How should we respond to perceived and actual persecution?

The Biblical answer is surprising and goes against our natural human inclinations.

Romans 12 talks about Sacrifice, Service, and Love.

God instructs His followers to respond to persecution with Love. 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Good will overcome evil, because God is both Loving and Just. 

God wants His children to respond to persecution with love, and to live in peace with everyone. 
God loves everyone, those that are being persecuted, and those that are actively persecuting. 
The "burning coals" is I believe the burning guilt that someone may feel when they realize the wrongness of their own action, and that awareness gives them an opportunity to repent.

Why?

God desires that even the most evil of sinners would repent and accept the gift of salvation in Christ. 
We are not all under the same laws of men, which vary from place to place and change over time. However, we are all under the same Law of a Holy God that does not change, and we are all offered Salvation by His own Mercy and Grace because of His Goodness and Love for all of us.
  1. God feels wrath against evil
  2. God will avenge and repay evil
  3. God is both loving and just.
đź’—Wishing you Amazing Love & Awesome Style!
P.S. Clicking the links in my articles takes you for a deeper dive and provides resources!

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