What would the church be like without persecution? Chinese pastors explain.

I came across what I think are real gems while archiving some of our older newsletters. In 2003, ICC interviewed three Chinese pastors and asked them two simple questions – what would the church in China be like without persecution, and what would you say to the church in the West? One of their answers to the first question astonished and inspired our community on Facebook, so I wanted to share the rest of their answers with you.

What Would the Church Be Like Without Persecution?

Brother Li:

The Church would not grow and there wouldn’t be revival. People will be caught up with pleasure and the current trends of society. The preacher’s love for God and his flock will decrease –they will not have clear vision. The Chinese Church has grown and survived because of persecution. We don’t like persecution, but every time it comes we grow and we fall in love with God more. Persecution is from God’s mercy, it is His inoculation against decay and destruction.

No persecution means we will have lukewarm Christians with weak spiritual lives. In fact, if there is no persecution, the number of churches in China would rise but their devotion would fall.

Brother Wang:

I agree, you see Jesus chose the three, the 12, and the 70. He spent time with them so they would become like Him. Persecution has caused us to spend time with him. Persecution brings blessing.

If there is no persecution, Christians will become “religion-ized.” They will become Christians to have a good moral life and good families-to get the blessings for this life. The Chinese Church will lose its drive to evangelize. Yes, they will want to give money but not go to reach the lost. They will want to stay home and be prosperous.

Without persecution we would have famous speakers going Church to Church. Speakers without power —without real depth. You know, Chinese Pastors don’t envy the West because they don’t hear about the Church in the west giving their lives away. Freedom would be a disaster for the Chinese Christian.

What Would You Say to The Church in the West?

Brother Tan:

Tell them that religion is different than real lived out faith. Real faith is to receive the revelation of God, while religion is humanitarianism and doctrine and formality. Religion is a form of culture while true faith is to lay down your life.

Please tell them that the persecutions you read about in the book of Acts are happening in China. The Chinese Church is presently writing the book of Acts. In fact, we have true theology in China- not just theological degrees or points of view but an example of life-following.

Real Christians here don’t chase titles or degrees. They seek the laying down of their lives and pleasures. They seek to love the people of God; our Chinese pastors are giving their lives away.

Brother Fu:

I would tell them that the value of life is to live for Jesus. All the false pursuits of life will pass away. Only if your life is hidden with Christ will you find peace. Seek the righteousness of God to bring your life meaning. Western brother and sister-you live in a rich and free world. You should treasure God more than us.