PERSECUTION AND VICTORY

If you haven’t noticed, hatred of the Christian faith has been pressing forward like a Panzer division to mow down everything in its path. However, these present weapons of destruction are using shame, vilification, and threat to our families and careers as their weapons. They can be like Facebook, which has outwardly banned me on 18 occasions and has also used other more shadowy forms of persecution. Their weaponry also takes many other forms, like the media’s continual attempt to divide the Church, especially along political and racial lines, or the cultural undermining parental influence in favor of a hyper-sexualized worldview.

As a result, we see brother turning against brother, as Jesus had warned:

·       “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 10:21-22)

The world wants us to think, “There must be something the matter with me, seeing that everyone hates me. Perhaps I need to radically change?” Instead, it is because we exude our Master (2 Corinthians 2:14-16):

·       “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 you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” (John 15:18-20; 16:1-3)

According to Paul, if we are standing for the truth, persecution is inevitable:

·       …persecutions I [Paul] endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:11-13 ESV)

How then must we endure persecution? For one thing, to remember that God reigns and that He will rescue us. Meanwhile, we must continue to make a defense for the Faith:

·       But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:14-16)

Firstly, Christ must reign supreme in every area of our lives. When He doesn’t, we are vulnerable. In effect, we are telling Him that we can manage our lives better than He can. Consequently, He will allow us the liberty to do just that so that we can learn a bitter lesson!

We then need to remind ourselves that the Lord is with us so that we might “have no fear of them.” But I think that we also have to be proactively sharing our faith, especially as opportunities arise. It might sound strange, but Paul describes going forth with the Gospel as part of our necessary battle armor:

·       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 firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:13-15)

A good defense is a good offense. When we are going forth with the “Gospel of peace,” we are bold and are aware of the presence of God. How does this work? When we battle for the truth, we become more aware of our need and are forced to trust in our Savior. However, when we are weak, it is then that we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

However, our conduct must agree with our words. Therefore, we also must also be clad with the “breastplate of righteousness.” If we have sin in our lives which we haven’t confessed, we are vulnerable and will not be able to stand against the opposition.

Besides, when we become defensive, argumentative, and arrogant, the atheist can easily dismiss us and our message. I have noticed that atheistic groups, rather than attacking the Christian worldview, are now finding it easier to attack Christians, pointing out our un-Christian behaviors. Therefore, if we don’t want our message to be discredited, we have to abide in kindness, patience, humility, and love, and often, this is only possible by the Holy Spirit. We also have to exhibit the confidence of the Lord:

·       Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. (Philippians 1:27-29)

Perhaps our most powerful example is our display of confidence in our Lord in the face of persecution. This is a “sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation,” something they need to see.

Meanwhile, I am trying to take encouragement from the words of our Lord:

·       “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)