Have You Suffered Persecution?

There is so much talk of persecution these days, and since this Sunday, Nov 6th, is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), I thought I would give y'all a few of my thoughts on this topic.  As I usually do, I try to keep these short, but, oh well, y'all know me.

Those of us who are believers are often ridiculed by fellow employees, friends, neighbors, or even family members when we talk about Christ. Whenever that happens, we usually respond by getting defensive or try to hide our Christianity. However, we read in the Bible that the Apostles, and the early church, didn't mind suffering for Christ. In fact, they actually rejoiced that they were worthy of receiving affliction for Christ's sake!

Jesus stated in Luke 21:12, "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name."

And then the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 that, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..."

First, what does it mean to be "persecuted?"  From the Greek: dioko, “pursue, run after, drive away" In the Septuagint, it is used to mean “pursuit by anyone whose intentions are hostile.”  It can include anything from ridicule, being shunned, even the threat of physical persecution for the cause of Christ.  All because you expressed your faith in Jesus.   

As a Christian you were promised many things, and one of these was persecution. Sadly, it’s not going to get any better. These are the last days, and the Bible tells us that we will be hated because of Jesus.  

Are you stressed because you've found that you have lost friendships, your social life isn’t very social, or even disrupted family life?  My friends, don’t be surprised if you're having struggles once you make your commitment to Christ.   There was never a promise of an easier life once you were saved; actually, it's the opposite. Once you have been born again, the devil will turn up the heat of persecution on you, seeing if you will give up. 

You see, a time of testing will happen.   In 1 Peter 4:12 he writes, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

You may be asking yourselves, why can’t they be tolerant and allow me to worship as I desire?  Why can they not just leave me alone?  Quite simply, the reason is Jesus.  The scriptures tell us that Jesus was hated and feared.  And because you follow Jesus, you also will be hated and feared.  In John 7:7, we’re told that, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.”   Because of your new life in Christ, you make the world look at itself and not like what it sees.  So the world will make life difficult for you, and try to keep you down.

So, I guess the big question is “How should we react to this persecution?  Here are two ways in which the Bible tells us how we should respond:

1)  First, we should pray.  

Matthew 5:44 says, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...” 

2)  Embrace the persecution, and accept it as a symptom of spiritual success.  James actually tells us to “consider it pure joy.”  After all, if darkness rejects you, then you must be of the light. Their persecution of you proves that you are a son or daughter of God.  We are told to, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:2-4, 12)

You only have two choices to make in this life, choose to be accepted and liked by this world, or you turn your back on it and choose Christ. You can’t have both. If you think you are having both, then you are fooled. You have unwittingly chosen the world.   And in choosing the Lord, the blessings will be many times over what you are giving up.  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  (Matthew 6:33)

So now the question is, have you confessed Jesus to the world?  Do they know you are a Christian? If you are not being persecuted, then you need to take a hard look.  In Matthew 10:32 we are reminded that, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 10:32-33)

Being a believer will cost you everything.  New Christians should know this.  You should all count the cost, and see if you are willing to go on to the end.

Please consider deeply the following scripture:

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”  (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Please take time out of your busy schedules this week to pray for the Middle East, and around the world, where thousands are suffering persecution, even losing their lives, for the name of Jesus Christ!

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