Facing Persecution
1. Jesus said, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) Christians have always been persecuted. That is because the devil hates God, and the devil hates the worship of God, so... he wages war against the saints. The devil hates human beings simply because we are made in the image of God. He hates Christians even more because we have been redeemed. Therefore it should not surprise Christians when fiery trials come against us. The Bible clearly states that, ..all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (see 2 Timothy 3:12)
2. I have been persecuted for being a Christian. Walking in love means that you will be persecuted. That seems to be backwards. How can anyone persecute you for what you believe, or for walking in love? Yet because of the devil's lies, the world is full of hatred against Christ and His followers. The strangest thing of all is that Christians sometimes persecute other Christians. That is because some Christians have believed some of the devil's lies. Such Christians need to be avoided or corrected.
3. But the persecution of Christians against other Christians is usually mild compared to the hatred of the world against Christ. In every age Christians have been martyred for their faith. The 20th century was no different. In fact, someone has said that the 20th century saw more persecution of Christians than any previous century in history. Around the world people are still being killed for their identification with Christ.
4. I was at a missions conference one time when the question was asked, "How many of you personally know someone who was killed for being a Christian?" About half of the hands went up, including mine. These missionaries were from almost every country on earth. Half of them had witnessed the death of a Christian for his faith in Christ. The persecution of the Church is real and it is continuing. What is our response? How are Christians supposed to face this persecution?
5. We shall face it the same way the early Christians faced it. We shall love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us. (see Matthew 5:44) When we are reviled we shall answer with kind words. We shall also love each other, help one another, and pray for those who are suffering. We shall do as Jesus did, and as He taught.
6. Love changes people. During the time of the early Church, Christians were soaked in blood and then taken into the public stadium in Carthage to be killed by hungry lions. Others were beheaded in the arena, and others were burned alive. But God did not forsake them. God loves His Church. Eventually the persecutions stopped. Then there was a plague that came upon the city of Carthage. The surviving Christians helped to care for the sick and the dying. Those who had once persecuted them saw their love and converted to Christ. Because of the love of the early Christians, the blood of the martyrs became the seed of the Church.
7. There is really only one way to face persecution: Abide in Christ. He shall sustain you. Walk in His love. Do not lose your connection with Him. And know this...
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. I Peter 4:14