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Advise/Guidance needed - I am a Christian who enjoys posting verses from the Bible to my facebook account, recently after posting a few verses from my readings a close relative of mine had made a mocking comment which has hurt me deeply. This cousin of mine has been close to me since childhood and he is well aware(assumed) of my life struggles, his comment leaves a lot of questions. I will not respond to mocking of any sort unless I feel it would enlighten that person and give them a reasonable chance to understand the importance of the message I wish to share.
I ask any member of this forum to please suggest how I should approach this, if at all.
May God Bless for your help in understanding.

Your Brother in Christ,

Anthony

Well no one likes or enjoys ridicule and mockery concerning their beliefs but it is something that every believer goes through in his or her life. I was mocked for my beliefs by students in high school, my mother and others this mockery has strengthened my resolve to serve Him.

They mocked Jesus and He told us we would be mocked for his sake. I would go to your cousin (even by e-mail for phone) and let him known that his actions have offended you. Perhaps, you may want to ask him why he mocked the verses you had or your beliefs. Try to open up a discussion with him.

Anthony, we should not be surprised when family members oppose or mock us because of our faith. Jesus said in Mt 10:34-36, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's enemies will be the members of his household."

Jesus also said:

Matthew 5:11-12 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way. Context (NET)

And Jesus taught that we should forgive, as he did (Luke 23:34) even while he was nailed to the cross.

Matthew 6:14-15 14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins. Context (NET)

If you have taken offense at something your cousin said, you have done that by choice. But you don't have to make that choice, and you shouldn't. Instead, you should rejoice and be thankful that God has counted you worthy to suffer in some tiny way for the name of Jesus, as the apostles did when they were abused (Acts 5:41). And do not confront your cousin because he has abused you (unless he is a Christian). Instead, forgive him as Jesus forgave those who had nailed him to the cross, and pray for your cousin. He obviously needs God's grace in his life. If your cousin is a believer, you still need to forgive him, but in that case you have a responsibility to gently confront him for his ungodly behavior -- not because he has offended you, but because he has offended God. Don't seek to defend yourself or your feelings. Rather, demonstrate your concern for your cousin and his relationship with the Lord.

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"The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him." (John 14:21)

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I get insulted by nonbelievers all the time. I think it's because I challenge them. I roll with the punches and try to keep things lighthearted and not so intense, but I'm not afraid of heated conversations. My little brother is like that. He gets objective and hostile at the mention of Christ or anything Christian related. I can't help him. Maybe someone else can. But it doesn't prevent me from speaking my thoughts and expressing my Christian values and beliefs. He might find it offensive, but that's his problem. Eventually, he will learn to respect who I am and my beliefs. It's sad that people get so hostile about Christianity, but it's what I believe. Other people's hostility, although I stay aware, doesn't prevent me from expressing and living out my Christian values. And that's true in public as well.

I would say be encouraged, and don't let it phase you. Keep being who you are, and don't be afraid to speak your beliefs.

Romans 1:16

Whenever I or someone I know is made fun of because of their Christian stance some verses come to mind and I would like to share them with you.

1 Peter 4:12-17 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." NIV

2 Tim 3:12 "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," NIV

Please realize that this world is not our home we are merely passing through and that things will happen to us because we are not at home.

I'm one of the 27% that does not Facebook. This type of thing is one reason. You can de-friend people. You can also ignore the person. Reality is that being Christian doesn't grant any special secular privileges.

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"I hold that in this country there must be complete severance of Church and State;
Ronald Reagan