I am unashamedly a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ and I have followed Him for over three decades. I received Him as my personal Lord and Saviour and I believe with all my heart that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). So, I am a Christian and the Bible says that I will suffer persecution. Do I want persecution? No. My flesh cringes at the very thought of it because it is not pleasant; it is ugly, humiliating and sometimes dehumanising in more ways than one. That is just a fact. Any Christian who rejects the idea of persecution needs to examine the Scriptures because as far as God is concerned, it is not optional. The only way to escape persecution is to live a compromised or carnal life.
Persecution of believers started in the first century and has not stopped since then. "In the 20th century, Christian populations were persecuted, sometimes to the point of genocide, by various states, including the Ottoman Empire and its successor, which committed the Hamidian massacres, the Armenian genocide, the Assyrian genocide, and the Greek genocide, and officially atheist states such as the Soviet Union, Communist Albania, North Korea" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians#:~:text=In%20the%2020th,and%20North%20Korea.). In 2019, the BBC reported that Christian persecution was 'at near genocide levels' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48146305) There are numerous other reports and articles on Christian persecution. Open Doors has reported on extreme Christian persecution worldwide (https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/)
No one in his or her right mind would wake up each day praying for persecution. Of the twelve disciples of Jesus (this would include Matthias who replaced Judas Iscariot), eleven of them were martyred. Only John died a natural death due to old age. The point is that as believers we cannot ignore persecution. We do not know when it will come our way and it should be said that God allows it to happen. Right now, millions of Christians are persecuted, tortured, murdered worldwide. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Having established the fact of persecution, what should we do? We must ensure that we are not being persecuted for foolish or ungodly behaviour. Let it be that when we are persecuted, it will be because of our faith in Jesus. However, engaging in wishful thinking is not really an option; compromising is unacceptable and ignoring the truth of God's Word would amount to folly. "But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62). In the 21st century, it is not unusual to be labelled homophobic for speaking the truth of God's Word. Religious freedom is being trampled upon, intolerance is the order of the day; certain groups that cry out for tolerance refuse to exercise tolerance. Cancel culture is the order of the day, critical race theory is being propagated and Christians are punished for standing up for what they believe. Persecution of Christians is real and as long as Jesus tarries, it will continue. The Bible says, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (1 Peter 5:6-9). By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote the epistle to Christians who were facing severe trials and it would do us good to heed his advice. We must be sober, vigilant, walk by faith and not by sight. We must continue to press on, press in, fix our eyes on Jesus, obey Him, read and study the Word of God and tell people that Jesus saves. We must continue to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15) and make disciples (Mathew 28:18-20). We must resist the devil in the Name of Jesus and remember that our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12-13). We are admonished to, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)
Remember that God's grace is sufficient for you in your hour of trial and persecution. Jesus encouraged His disciples, "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12).
The Holy Spirit will empower us in the day of trouble for God will never leave us nor forsake (Hebrews 13:5). In the midst of all this, we will love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us. "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either." (Luke 6:27-29). Jesus commanded us to do so. My brothers and sisters in the Lord, the English say, 'To be forewarned is to be forearmed'. Finally we must pray without ceasing (2 Thessalonians 5:17) for we always have to pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). We will march on in faith, in love, with perseverance and 100% commitment to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
We will not be shaken; we will not relent our efforts to tell people that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, the Truth and the Life. We will preach the Word of God in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and may you hear the Holy Spirit telling you where to go, either to the right or to the left or to remain still, in Jesus' Name. Have a blessed day.
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