“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.
Matthew 5:11-12a (NASB)
Series: Hands and Feet
Have others challenged you because of something you believed, decided, or stated? Perhaps that led to the opportunity for more questions and an informative discussion. Or maybe a heated argument ensued, and you experienced vile persecution.
Opposing thoughts among humans are nothing new. Turning through the pages of the Bible, we see struggles woven through the Old and New Testaments. Hostility and persecution remain a common thread from the first family all the way through to the apostles carrying on the message of Christ, and even still into our present day.
Jesus warned that persecution is unavoidable for those who follow a godly life rooted in Christianity. Followers of Jesus face a similar hatred that Jesus received. The world opposes the divine teachings of Jesus and rejects those who follow His precepts (See John 15:18-25). The result? If you are in Christ, you will suffer hostility.
The book of Acts documents the persecution of the disciples and apostles as they share the gospel with others. Let’s turn to Acts 13:49-53 (NIV):
The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
The Jewish leaders convinced some prominent people of the city to drive Paul and Barnabas away from their region. Have you left an area, an organization, or a friend group because of persecution you received because you shared about Jesus? What was your reaction? Paul and Barabas responded by “shaking the dust off their feet.” Joy filled the hearts of the believers as they pursued and shared Jesus.
The next chapter of Acts begins:
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:1-7 NIV)
Faced with the unbelieving people spewing poison from their mouths toward them, Paul and Barnabas continued to speak boldly for the Lord. The community split, and the unbelievers desired to cause harm to them. Paul and Barnabas did not allow this persecution to stop them. They left that area instead and continued to share the love and light of Jesus in the surrounding country.
Those represent only two examples of documented persecution of Jesus’ followers. What fueled these people in the early church to endure, to choose joy, to continue sharing Jesus, and even to praise God as they suffered? I believe the answer comes from the very teachings Jesus provided.
In Matthew 5:43-48 (NASB), Jesus taught:
“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 prove yourselves to 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? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Friends, God calls us to respond to those who oppose us with courage, faith, and love, and to rejoice knowing that our reward in heaven is great. The Bible gives examples of fleeing, standing firm, and rejoicing in the face of persecution, while praying for the persecutors. The specific response in each situation requires prayerful discernment. Regardless of the circumstances, God is present with every believer in it all.
We can extract a few truths from this short venture:
- Expect Persecution if you are a believer
- Rejoice. Know you have a reward in heaven because of the persecution you suffer.
- Pray. Ask God for wisdom and discernment, and pray for those who are persecuting you.
- Love Your Enemies. Always respond with kindness, goodness, and love.
- Be Patient. Endure persecution with patience and faith, always glorifying God.
- Discern. Follow God’s leading in how you respond, whether that is to remove yourself from the situation, to stand firm, or even to assert your legal rights (as Paul does in Acts 16 and 25).
We can arm ourselves with these practices to better prepare ourselves when persecution comes. Ultimately, know that you are not alone in your sufferings. God is with you always. Jesus suffered for you. He knows and understands the persecution you endure. Allow the hardships you face to help you grow and mature in godliness, trusting your Good Father for the reward He has planned for you in heaven.
May we be the hands and feet of Jesus as we enter into the days ahead, knowing God is with us, for us, and has made the way before us.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Acts 7:54-60, 13:49-52; 14:1-22; 16:16-24; John 15:18-25; Matthew 5:10-11, 43-48; 1 Peter 4:12-14
