Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 ESV
To definition of persecution is to subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political beliefs. It can also mean to harass or annoy someone persistently.
As Christians, we like to think we will be free from persecution, but sadly this is not true. In fact, it tells us that desiring to live a godly life in Christ Jesus guarantees we will be persecuted.
Jesus said in Mark 13:13, “And you will be hated for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” So, while we are told we will definitely endure persecution here on earth for being Christians, we are given this hope. In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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 before you.”
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Our strength is in Christ. As long as we remain in Him, He will give us the strength we need to endure persecutions. Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
2 Peter 2:9 says, “Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.
We know God gives us the strength to endure persecution, but how should we handle persecution. Should we simply sit there and wait for it to pass? Should we take some type of action toward our persecutor or persecutors? Well, according to the Bible there are some things we can do.
We are told in Romans 12:14 to bless those who persecute us and do not curse them. We are told in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
It’s upsetting to be persecuted for doing what you know is right, but we are clearly told in the Bible that it will happen. In 1 Peter 4:12 we are told not to be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon us to test us, as though something strange is happening to us. But rejoice, insofar as we share Christ’s sufferings, that we may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If we are insulted for the name of Christ, we are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us.
When you come through these trials rejoice. Pray for those who persecute you. Love your enemies. and remember God is right there with us. He hasn’t asked us to endure anything He Himself hasn’t endured and like our pastor said last weekend so far, He hasn’t asked us to be crucified. When we think about what Christ endured for us, it should make it a bit easier to endure what we must for him.
We must endure. 2 Timothy 2:12 says if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us. So, failure is not an option. We must pass the test of our faith and our endurance.
God gives us armor in Ephesians 6:10-18. We should daily suit up in that armor knowing we will face persecution. We must trust in God to take care of us.
Trials and persecutions are tests of our faith. It’s how we learn and grow. Remember no matter what you face, God’s got this. He will take good care of you. Trust in Him. He will be right there with you when the going gets rough.
Have a great day!