Good and bad get picked on but those that live godly suffer a special kind of persecution.

Trouble makers and jerks often get ignored but those that pursue godliness get pursued.

Over the last year I have been pursued by two former members that follow me from group to group.

They even resort to sending private and slandering emails to other members about me.

Instead of these members finding out for themselves, they sometimes gave heed to these backbiters.

Of course Christ is the only example of one that led a sinless life and was crucified.

Sometimes others persecute you for the liberty you have in Christ.

Judaizers of Pauls day saw the liberty that Paul had and stalked him.

 'And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.' (Galatians 2)

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11)

In the eighties when me and two other guys from a discipleship house shared Christ at a Krishna Temple, the temple speaker would always refer to the shortcomings of Christianity and then go into his religion.

When I pointed out that Krishna seduced women according to their books, he would laugh and say that Krishna was the supreme enjoyer and could do whatever he wanted.

However, they would refer to Christ when they wanted folks to imitate someone.

Most cults refer to Christ and the Bible and quote some scripture but then go into their perversion of Christ and Christianity. (2 Corinthians 11)

It seems that they cannot get an audience unless they first refer to the truth.

It is the bait and switch trick.

First refer to what is real and good and then when you have the peoples attention then switch it to the perversion.

I have had two folks form groups named after this one. One even chose to make a bible on fire, his group picture, just like this group.

This group is about Embracing Christ rather than the shadow and that is the difference between this group and those.

You must be doing something right when folks imitate you. Notice I did not dare say 'everything right'.

Only one can claim to have done that.

3) STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

A particular posttribber was so against the pretrib belief and dispensations that he would join with Preterists (those that reject a future second coming of Christ) to oppose me and my beliefs.

Even in my conversations with cultists he would interrupt and compare my beliefs to the cultists I was talking to.

This man put opposing me on such a high level that he didn't even care who he teamed up with to do it.

He is still doing this.

What this person failed to realize was that in believing in a delay of Christ's coming he was acknowledging dispensations. (Romans 11:25-27)

Feel free to share your experiences in these areas.

4) WHEN ONE MAKES OPPOSING YOU HIS LIFE MISSION

Call it whatever you will...stalking etc, but when one follows you around just to harass you then that not only says that you must be doing at least one thing right but that this person needs a life.

Some even make it look like they are helping the cause when they really aren't.

A woman followed Paul around, 'And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us THE WAY OF SALVATION. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. (Acts 16, KJV)

This is a translation from the kjv. Looking at the Greek and a few other translations we see that she wasn't calling what Paul was preaching 'the way' as the KJV and some other translations say but was referring to it as 'A Way'. There is a big difference between being The Way and A WAY among many ways.

"she having followed Paul and us, was crying, saying, `These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us A WAY of salvation;' " (Youngs literal Translation)There is no definite article before 'Way' in the greek.

So her New Ageism was possibly what prompted Paul to cast the demon out of her.

5) IN THE MINORITY

Joshua and Caleb were in the minority but they were right.

Very rarely if ever is the majority right.

6) PEOPLE CANNOT UNDERSTAND YOU

I have had people critique what I believe and in their critique it becomes evident that they don't even understand what they are criticising.

Though the scripture says to study the 'word of truth', some things come through revelation.

I don't think that all things come when one becomes a Christian.

Only through continued revelation and growth can one realize certain things. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.' (Ephesians 1)Concerning the World's understanding of the light the KJV says, 'And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness COMPREHENDED it not.' (John 1)The word comprehended is not in many of the other translations but it is true that the darkness cannot understand the light.

7) WHEN DARKNESS CANNOT OVERCOME YOU.

Many translations say that 'the Darkness cannot overcome the light' This is also true.

Though depression and anxiety can set in for the person that speaks for God, inspiration and strength is right around the corner.

There were many times when I was ready to give up and the Lord sent me something to inspire me.

Suffering and Death come before the resurrection, dying precedes living.

Jesus was crucified but this was in the plan of God. The Resurrection was also around the corner.

8) WHEN PEOPLE SLANDER YOU

One woman that I was debating recently chose to question my salvation rather than critiquing what I said.

She started calling me Saul, showing her true colors.

Very rarely did she comment on what I said other than to say that I don't understand.

But this attitude can be an indicator that you are doing something right.