Persecution and the Christian

Persecution - Proof Your Heading in the Right Direction

Persecution is not a subject that today is commonly thought about. When we think about persecution, we think of the New Testament times, we don't consider how common place it is in today. From Webster's Dictionary we find the following definition: "persecute, verb, harass; oppress." Note that the word persecute is an action verb. Then when we look at the word persecute in The New Webster's Thesaurus, we get an even fuller insight into the aspects involved in the action of persecution. The thesaurus lists the following things as another way of saying persecute (all of which are the different ways a person is persecuted): abuse, afflict, aggrieve, annoy, badger, bother, castigate, gall, harass, harry, hound, maltreat, oppress, pester, plague, punish, rile, scourge, tease, torture, vex, victimize, and worry.

When we consider the foregoing list, we can visualize instances of persecution we have witnessed in our lives or have had occur to us. Persecution comes from many sources: from the news media, the government, people on the street, from the religious leaders of the day, and even from friends and family. Looking at the Word of God, you will see that persecution is an expected part of being a Christian. It is also a significant proof to the Christian that they are on the right path in their walking (doing) what God wants them to do. If you are a Christian and you do not encounter some form of persecution, it is time to examine what you believe and what your lifestyle is. If your are living like the world around you the world will love you, and that is not good in God's eyes. If you are doing your best to follow the example of Jesus Christ, then you know the meaning of the word persecution without having to have an explanation.

Jesus taught the apostles and disciples that persecution was one of the inevitable circumstances they would experience from the world for following him. On the positive side, he also told them that because of the persecution they would be counted blessed and that their reward in heaven would be great. That in serving our master Jesus Christ, the world would hate us just as they hated him.
“Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”
“John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

Jesus also taught that persecution had been around since God sent men to speak his Word to the people. It was nothing new and even back to the choosing of Israel to be God's chosen people, the world (and the ruler of the world - the devil) and even God's people were responsible for persecuting men of God. Jesus said they he would send out prophets (if you think prophets no longer exist after Christ, why did he say this?), wise men, and scribes (Bible scholars) to the end that they would be persecuted to the point of death, beaten, and driven from city to city (the old...we don't like people like you in our city..get out of town by sundown!). The point conclusively made here is that the persecutors would be held accountable for the blood shed and treatment given to these men of God that God had called and commissioned with a purpose.
“Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.”

The legal system of the day and the times before were instrumental in the persecution of believers. Even today the courts instigate persecution of Christians (you can't pray in school and you better not try to speak the Word of God there...they'll sue you, fire you, run you out of town on a rail). If you are a Lawyer...I hope you do not take offense to what Jesus said in the following verses like the lawyers of his day did. They did not seem to like him saying "Woe unto you also, ye lawyers!". The legal system of the day had taken away the key of knowledge (the Bible) and gone beyond that to hinder the believer who was trying to use the key to enter into salvation. I hope you are not a lawyer of this sort today.
“Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. 46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. “

In the Epistle of 1st Peter, Peter addressed the issue of persecution that the first century Christians were going through from the standpoint that we as Christians should have under this circumstance. Of note, in the first century the methods of persecution was more perilous than we commonly encounter today (even though in some places in the world they are as extreme). The first century Christian faced imprisonment and death for their faith, something not many today have to endure. Peter told them not to be surprised about persecution but to rejoice, to be happy if you are reproached for the name of Christ, not to be ashamed if you suffer as a Christian, and to glorify God because your adversary thinks you such a threat that he has to pull out all stops to stop you.
“1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

Peter again in the Epistle of 1st Peter, covered this subject from a somewhat different perspective. He stresses the strengths available to the Christian from God during these times of persecution from the world. He presents first and foremost that God is constantly aware of what is happening to His children and He absolutely hears their prayers. But, His Face is Against them that do evil (persecute His children in this instance). He states that we can effectively use this persecution as a means of holding forth His Word to our accusers and the audience that associates with such sort of folk (accusers like to get attention you know...the news media today is a primary attention getter). He concludes that if it is the will of God that we suffer (and from what God's Word says he wants to keep His children from harm), its better to suffer for doing good than doing evil.
“1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”

Paul in his second letter to Timothy, explains to Timothy (who was having some problems in being persecuted himself) the example of his own experiences and the power of God in the situation. He said about all the afflictions and persecutions the world and the Devil sent his way, that God had Delivered him out of all of them. He also told Timothy that all people who would live a Godly life in Christ Jesus absolutely would suffer persecution, but it was nothing to fear.
“2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Persecution is your proof that your doing the right thing in the eyes of God. God always provides us with His protection and blessings when we take a stand on His Word. He does not leave us to the devices the world uses to silence us or put us out. Paul told the first century Christians in the letter to the Romans (the Christians living in the worst place as far as persecution was concerned), that as children and heirs of God - joint-heirs (equal heirs) with Christ, that if God is for us no one can stand against us. He also said that no matter what the Devil could throw at us, that we were "More Than Conquerors" super conquerors through him that loved us. So when you get hit with persecutions, don't fold up and give up, God has given you the ability to over come what ever is thrown your way.
“Romans 8:16-18, 31-36 - 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Now in regard to persecution, it is definitely a sign of the return of Christ Jesus. The closer to his return the more escalation you will see in the persecution of the believers. Jesus prophesied:
“Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”

As to what our view of persecution is, in light of our understanding of what God's promises to us are in regard to handling of this situation, lets conclude with some scriptures of promise available to us to receive.
“Psalms 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
“ Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
“Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”
“Psalms 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
“Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
“Psalms 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
“Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”

God's promise to the man of God.
“Jeremiah 1:17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.”

God will protect and bless you and reward you for your stand for Him and his Word regardless of anything the world might say about you or throw at you. You are His lights in this dark world.