Persecution is a real and unfortunate reality for many Christians around the world. Choosing to follow Jesus can often mean facing opposition, discrimination, and even violence. This is a sobering truth that requires serious consideration when deciding whether to become a Christian.
The Bible is clear that persecution awaits those who seek to live godly lives in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus himself warned his followers that they would be hated and persecuted on account of him (Matthew 10:22). The early church faced intense persecution from both the religious establishment and the Roman authorities. The book of Acts records how the apostles were imprisoned, flogged, stoned, and killed for proclaiming the name of Jesus.
Why does persecution happen? There are a few reasons:
- The gospel confronts and challenges worldly values and belief systems. It declares that Jesus is the only way to salvation, which is offensive to many (John 14:6).
- Dark spiritual forces are at work to oppose the advance of God’s kingdom (Ephesians 6:12). Persecution is often demonically inspired.
- Following Jesus requires making hard choices – like loving one’s enemies – that go against human nature (Matthew 5:44). The world rejects those who follow Christ because it hates his radical commands (John 15:18-19).
Persecution takes many forms, from social ostracization to imprisonment to martyrdom. Examples from church history and the contemporary world illustrate this sobering reality:
- Early Christians were routinely imprisoned, tortured, and executed in the Roman empire. Many were torn apart by wild beasts or burned at the stake.
- Under communist regimes in China and the Soviet Union, pastors and churches were strictly regulated. Millions of Christians were imprisoned in labor camps.
- In many Muslim contexts today, converting from Islam to Christianity remains punishable by death. Christians often face grave danger from their families, communities, and authorities.
- Hindu and Buddhist nationalism in South Asia has fueled persecution of Christian minorities through discriminatory laws, mob violence, forced conversions, and destruction of property.
Given these realities, we must weigh the cost of following Jesus. He told his disciples to count the cost before taking up their crosses to follow him (Luke 14:25-33). While persecution is hard, Scripture gives us many reasons why we can consider it worth the cost:
- Jesus is supremely worthy of our total allegiance and trust, no matter the consequences (Philippians 3:8). To gain Christ outweighs every loss.
- Earthly suffering produces greater eternal reward in heaven for those who endure persecution (Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 8:18).
- Our momentary afflictions produce in us an eternal weight of glory and a faith tried and found genuine (2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Persecution purifies our faith.
- We maintain hope by keeping an eternal perspective amidst earthly trials (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Our lives are but a mist, but eternity awaits.
- The Holy Spirit strengthens and upholds us in the midst of persecution, giving us grace to endure (Matthew 10:19-20; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). We do not face trials alone.
- Jesus tells us the world will hate us because it hates him. Sharing in his rejection is a privilege (John 15:18-21). We share in Christ’s sufferings.
- Even violent persecution cannot snatch us from the Father’s hand or separate us from his love (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39). We are eternally secure.
Scripture gives many examples of those who counted persecution and death as worth following Jesus:
- Peter and John rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).
- Paul viewed his imprisonments and beatings he endured as badges of honor for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
- Early Christian martyrs like Polycarp went courageously to their deaths praising God.
- Perpetua and Felicitas famously faced wild beasts in the Roman arena for their faith.
- Untold thousands have given their lives for Jesus throughout history, considering it pure joy to suffer for Christ (Luke 6:22-23).
At the same time, we recognize that persecution is hard and the prospect of facing it is sobering. God understands our weakness and fear in the face of trials. We can be honest with him about our struggles (Matthew 26:39). But he also promises to be with us to the end of the age as we make disciples of all nations, even in the face of persecution (Matthew 28:19-20).
Jesus does call some Christians to voluntarily face persecution by serving him in dangerous places, seeking to advance the gospel where it is most opposed (Philippians 1:12-14). But for others, he calls them to stay and shine as lights for him right where they are, even in the face of local hostility (Matthew 5:14-16). Both callings are biblical when pursued in faith.
Either way, Jesus says we have no need to fear those who can only kill the body but not the soul (Matthew 10:28). He will give us words to say when we are delivered up and the Spirit will empower us in times of trial (Mark 13:9-11). We do not face persecution in our own strength but in the power of the risen Lord Jesus who has overcome the world (John 16:33).
So in the face of the sobering reality of persecution, we fix our eyes on Jesus, consider it pure joy to suffer for his name, and resolve to follow him no matter the cost (Hebrews 12:1-3). We do so because he is supremely worthy of all our devotion and obedience, now and for eternity.
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