The Insanity of God

1. Persecution is normal for many believers worldwide

"Persecution is like the sun coming up in the east. It happens all the time. It's the way things are."

Shifting perspective. For many Christians in the West, persecution is seen as an abnormal and avoidable experience. However, for believers in many parts of the world, it is an expected part of following Christ. This reality challenges our understanding of what it means to be a Christian and how we view suffering for our faith.

Historical context. Throughout history and in many parts of the world today, believers have faced opposition, discrimination, and violence because of their faith. This persecution has taken various forms, from social ostracism to imprisonment and even death. Understanding this global and historical context helps us appreciate the resilience and courage of persecuted believers.

Biblical foundation. The New Testament repeatedly warns believers to expect persecution. Jesus himself said, "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20). Recognizing persecution as a normal part of the Christian experience aligns our expectations with biblical teaching and prepares us to face opposition with faith and courage.

2. God still speaks through dreams and visions today

"If you will take My Word out into the world, I will get it in the right hands."

Divine communication. Throughout the book, numerous accounts are shared of people, particularly in Muslim contexts, receiving dreams and visions that lead them to seek Jesus. These experiences challenge our often limited view of how God communicates and works in the world today.

Supernatural guidance. Many of these dreams and visions provide specific instructions or insights that lead individuals to encounter Christians, find Bibles, or understand spiritual truths. This supernatural guidance often occurs in places where access to the Gospel is severely restricted, demonstrating God's commitment to reaching people in seemingly impossible situations.

Continuity with Scripture. These modern experiences echo biblical accounts of God speaking through dreams and visions, such as Peter's vision in Acts 10 or Paul's vision of the Macedonian man in Acts 16. Recognizing this continuity can strengthen our faith in God's active involvement in the world and His desire to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.

3. Faith can thrive in hostile environments

"You can only grow in persecution what you take into persecution with you."

Resilience under pressure. The stories shared in the book demonstrate that faith not only survives but often thrives under persecution. Believers in hostile environments often exhibit a depth of commitment and spiritual maturity that challenges and inspires those in more comfortable circumstances.

Growth through adversity. Persecution, while painful, often serves to refine and strengthen faith. Many believers report experiencing a deeper reliance on God, a greater appreciation for Scripture, and a more vibrant prayer life when faced with opposition. This growth is not automatic but depends on the believer's response to adversity.

Unexpected fruit. In many cases, persecution leads to unexpected opportunities for witness and the spread of the Gospel. The courage and faith of persecuted believers often attract others to Christ, and the scattering of believers due to persecution can lead to the Gospel reaching new areas.

4. Suffering for Christ deepens and matures faith

"Prison in China is for us like seminary is for training church leaders in your country."

Transformative experience. For many believers, enduring persecution becomes a profound spiritual experience that deepens their faith and understanding of Christ's sufferings. This perspective challenges our often comfort-oriented approach to spirituality.

Practical faith. Persecution forces believers to rely on God in tangible ways, leading to a faith that is tested and proven in real-life situations. This practical faith is often characterized by:

• Deep trust in God's provision
• Reliance on prayer
• Intimate knowledge of Scripture
• Strong sense of God's presence

Community strengthening. Shared suffering often strengthens bonds between believers, creating tight-knit communities of faith that support and encourage one another. This sense of community reflects the early church's experience and can lead to powerful witness in hostile environments.

5. The power of personal stories in understanding persecution

"I believed that the Bible stories about God speaking to people in dreams and visions. I knew that God had done miraculous things such as healing sick people and raising the dead. I believed that those things had happened. In fact, I was certain of it. The problem was—I had always seen God's Word, especially the Old Testament, as a holy history book."

Bringing Scripture to life. Personal stories of modern-day believers facing persecution can make biblical accounts more relatable and real. These stories bridge the gap between ancient texts and contemporary experiences, helping us see the continuity of God's work throughout history.

Challenging assumptions. Hearing firsthand accounts of persecution and miraculous interventions challenges our often limited expectations of how God works. These stories can:

• Expand our understanding of God's activity in the world
• Inspire greater faith and boldness
• Motivate prayer and support for persecuted believers

Fostering empathy. Personal stories create emotional connections that statistics and general reports cannot. They help us empathize with persecuted believers, seeing them as real people with hopes, fears, and faith, rather than distant, abstract figures.

6. Obedience to God's call may lead to unexpected places

"I decided then and there that I wanted to know Jesus that way. I decided then and there that I wanted to walk with Jesus that way."

Divine detours. The author's experiences demonstrate that following God's call often leads to unexpected situations and encounters. Being open to divine guidance, even when it disrupts our plans, can lead to profound spiritual experiences and opportunities for ministry.

Preparation for service. Often, our past experiences, even those that seem unrelated, prepare us for future service. The author's background in farming and construction, for example, proved valuable in relating to people in different cultural contexts.

Continuous learning. Obedience to God's call involves a continuous process of learning and growth. The author's journey from a naive believer to a seasoned researcher of persecution demonstrates the importance of:

• Humility in recognizing our limitations
• Willingness to learn from others, especially those who have suffered for their faith
• Flexibility in adapting our methods and understanding as we encounter new situations

7. The importance of Scripture memorization for persecuted believers

"When the event was over, when they compared and combined the efforts of all the different small groups, the young people had recreated all of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John with only a half-dozen mistakes."

Internalized truth. For believers facing persecution, having Scripture memorized becomes a crucial spiritual resource. When Bibles are confiscated or access to Scripture is restricted, memorized passages provide:

• Comfort in difficult times
• Guidance for decision-making
• Material for teaching and evangelism

Preservation of faith. Memorizing Scripture helps preserve the faith in contexts where written materials are dangerous to possess. This practice echoes the oral traditions that preserved biblical narratives before they were written down.

Spiritual discipline. The discipline of memorizing Scripture often leads to a deeper engagement with God's Word. It fosters:

• Meditation on biblical truths
• Application of Scripture to daily life
• A shared repository of faith within believing communities

8. The role of community in sustaining faith under persecution

"When we were arrested, we barely knew who Jesus was! We did not know how to pray! We did not know the Bible! We did not know many songs of faith. We have to confess this to you today and beg your forgiveness. For three years in prison, we did not share our faith with one person. We hid our faith."

Mutual support. Strong Christian communities play a crucial role in sustaining faith under persecution. These communities provide:

• Emotional and spiritual support
• Practical assistance in times of need
• Opportunities for corporate worship and prayer

Discipleship and growth. Believers who face persecution often emphasize the importance of being prepared spiritually before facing trials. Strong communities facilitate this preparation through:

• Bible study and teaching
• Mentoring relationships
• Shared spiritual practices

Witness through unity. The unity and love demonstrated by persecuted Christian communities often serve as a powerful witness to non-believers. This reflects Jesus' words in John 13:35, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

9. God's miraculous provision in times of persecution

"Thirty kilometers away, in the middle of the night, God woke up the deacon of a church and instructed him, 'Get out of bed. Harness your horse, hitch the horse to the sled, load up all the extra vegetables that the church has harvested, the meat, and the other food that the congregation has collected, and take it to that pastor's family living outside the village. They are hungry!'"

Unexpected sources. Many stories in the book recount God's provision through unexpected sources, demonstrating His sovereignty and care for His people. These provisions often come through:

• Strangers or even enemies
• Natural circumstances
• Seemingly coincidental encounters

Strengthening faith. Experiences of God's miraculous provision serve to strengthen the faith of persecuted believers. They learn to:

• Trust God in seemingly impossible situations
• Recognize God's hand in everyday circumstances
• Develop a deeper prayer life, expecting God to answer

Testimony to others. These instances of provision often serve as powerful testimonies to non-believers, demonstrating the reality of God's love and care. They can open doors for evangelism and encourage other believers facing similar challenges.

10. The cost of following Christ in hostile environments

"Is Jesus worth it? Is He worth your life? Is He worth the lives of your wife and your children?"

Counting the cost. Following Christ in hostile environments often requires significant sacrifices. Believers may face:

• Loss of family relationships
• Economic hardship
• Physical danger or imprisonment
• Death

Deeper understanding of discipleship. The experiences of persecuted believers often reveal a profound understanding of what it means to follow Christ. They exemplify Jesus' words about taking up one's cross (Luke 9:23) and loving Him more than family (Matthew 10:37).

Testimony of faith. The willingness of believers to pay a high price for their faith serves as a powerful testimony to the value they place on Christ. This witness can:

• Challenge nominal believers to deeper commitment
• Inspire others to consider the claims of Christ
• Demonstrate the reality of faith to a watching world

Last updated: November 19, 2024