A variation of this essay, “Facing Persecution,” appeared in CGG Weekly on July 27, 2012.
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
—II Timothy 3:12
Without a doubt, the Western world has “progressed” into a post-Christian age. Christianity is only one among many belief systems that compete for attention, and it seems it is attracting fewer people by the day. In fact, the ideological Left has Christianity and Christians in its sights, attempting to undermine God’s way of life at every turn. Christians are regularly called “bigots” and “hateful” for standing in the way of behaviors that go beyond the pale of their beliefs. Some have suffered cancellation and even verbal attacks for trying to live as Jesus teaches in Scripture.
Granted, this level of persecution falls in the “mild” to “middling” range. We have not even reached the amount of persecution that the Hebrews had faced when the apostle wrote his epistle to them: “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4), though in earlier days, they had “endured a great struggle with sufferings: . . . [been] made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and . . . accepted the plundering of [their] goods” (Hebrews 10:32-34). So, while we are yet unmarked by the more violent kinds of persecution, we would do well to prepare ourselves for the eventuality of it.
How, then, does Jesus Christ expect us to face persecution? What attitudes should we have when it comes and as it continues? By considering a few scriptures, we can perceive how Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets approached the persecutions they endured.
Beyond faith, which is a given for any child of God at all times, the first and perhaps foundational attitude we need to employ is patience. We must remember that God is at work (John 5:17) and that He does not work on our timetable. Most of all, for us, He is working on transforming our character into a reflection of His own, and that takes time. James writes “. . . the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3-4). The apostle Peter chimes in on this too:
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (I Peter 2:19-20)
Peter uses the Greek word hupomone, which implies “endurance,” “perseverance,” or “unswerving constancy.” We are to wait on God for deliverance, bearing up courageously through our suffering and not giving in. As David writes in Psalm 40:1-2: “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.” No matter how difficult the situation, He will save us from our persecutors; we just have to trust Him to effect that deliverance when it is best.
No matter how difficult the situation, God will save us from our persecutors; we just have to trust Him to effect that deliverance when it is best. Share on XIn the middle of trouble, perhaps the last thing on a person’s mind is to be positive. Most people just want to cry, to feel self-pity, to complain, to become depressed, and to feel abandoned. However, the great exemplars of faith found that the opposite reaction is far better. Our attitude needs to reflect a desire to glorify God. As Peter advises in I Peter 4:16, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
This means that, as we suffer, we should give Him praise and thanksgiving. Paul and Silas, unjustly thrown into prison in Philippi, did not let their situation get them down. Acts 16:25 records that “at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns”! We are told that the other apostles, on trial before the Sanhedrin, were “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).
We also glorify Him in how we endure the suffering—not just in our words but also in our behavior. Paul saw persecution as a means to give glory to God:
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! (II Timothy 4:17-18)
The third attitude may be even more difficult to do. Peter commands in I Peter 4:19, “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” While under persecution, enduring perhaps horrible suffering, a Christian should do good. In reality, that is what makes him a Christian. He must rise above his situation and continue to carry out acts of love, even toward his persecutors. It is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).
During his crucifixion, Jesus practiced what He had preached, spreading the good news of the Kingdom to His dying breath. He comforted the daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31) and promised the thief next to him an opportunity for salvation (verses 39-43). He also asked His Father to forgive His murderers (verse 34). No matter what the circumstances, He never stopped showing love to all, even to His enemies. Paul imitated this example, boldly preaching the gospel while in chains, and doing so actually furthered the cause of the gospel rather than hindered it (Philippians 1:12-18).
Finally, we must have an attitude of joy. Again, it is Peter who advises us: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (I Peter 4:12-13).
This is a tough order, but it is not impossible. However, notice that he includes a qualification on this, that we are to be joyful if we are suffering for a righteous reason, sharing Christ’s sufferings. But if we are suffering as a result of our own stupidity, we need to repent!
James tells us in James 1:2, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” It is not natural to rejoice while suffering, but we can do it because the Holy Spirit works in us, giving us God’s perspective and strength to endure (see I Peter 1:3-9). That is the only way we can rejoice in suffering, knowing that God has counted us worthy of it.
Obviously, no one wants to be persecuted, but “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12). Yet, if we do, we have Christ’s promise that it is for our good: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
