Discussion 12/7/2022

Persecution and our response to it.

One of the hardest topics to tackle when first giving yourself to God, is persecution. It's not generally something many Christians are keen to talk about, especially new Christians. Many come to faith in Jesus only to think that everything will magically become better. That we won't share in turmoil, hardship, or despair. I only wish that were the case but, it isn't. Becoming a follower of Jesus is filled with the same sadness that many non-believers also deal with, it may at times be filled with even more. The devil wages his war on the souls of mankind, especially those drawing nearer to Christ. We are told that Satan is the "ruler of this world" and "the prince of the power of the air", he is a "thief and a liar" and "comes only to kill, steal, and destroy". Satan is bent on destruction and will whisper all sorts of lies in the ears of believers in an attempt to rob you of your joy and faith in the Father. The devil would have you believe you are unworthy, unloved, and unable to live up to God's commands. He does not know that we are already victorious through Jesus' sacrifice at the cross.  Levi called Mathew by Christ was a tax collector, despised and hated, he was considered a sell out and an enemy to his own people. Jesus saw through Mathew's heart and called him to follow as an apostle of Christ. In Matthew's account of Jesus, he speaks of Jesus' famous sermon on the mount and many or the subjects He taught upon. Among those topics we're persecution and revenge. 

Matthew 5:10-12

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:21-26

 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last quadrans.

Matthew 5:38-48

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your garment also. And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Here we are taught appropriate response to how we are to interact with the world and each other. We don't combat hate with hate. We combat hate with love. That is God's way. In the same way we are to show love in all we do to represent Him while we are here on this earth.  Spiritual warfare brings persecution, and persecution comes from those ignorant of God and His will.  John experienced much persecution like the other apostles. John tells us of Jesus' warning of impending persecution.

John 15:18-27

 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But this happened to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without cause."

 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me, and you will bear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

 The apostle Paul encourages us in the comfort we receive from God during our times of suffering.

2nd Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is working in your perseverance in the same sufferings which we also suffer. And our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

And Peter one of Jesus' first disciples, and one of the early church leaders, who would go on to be martyrd had this to say about the impending persecution we will all face...

1st Peter 4:1-19

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin— so as to no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you, but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For to this the gospel has been proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.

The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God— whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.

As Christians we must remember that we will face persecution but, we do not do it alone. Like He was with all those martyred in the early church, He also stands alongside us if we allow Him there. God bless you all and feel free to leave questions or comments below.