Attitudes to persecution

The call to endure in the face of persecution

Passively

Psalm 119:87 ESV

They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

See also Mt 10:22; Mt 10:28; 1 Co 4:12; 2 Th 1:4; Jas 5:8

Actively

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

See also Eph 6:10–20; 2 Ti 2:3; 1 Pe 5:9; Re 2:3

Attitudes believers are to adopt in facing persecution

Living holy and forgiving lives

1 Peter 2:12 ESV

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

See also Mt 5:44; Ro 12:19–20; 1 Pe 2:15; 1 Pe 2:23; 1 Pe 3:16

Rejoicing in suffering

Romans 5:3–5 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

See also Ps 30:5; Mt 5:11–12; Ac 5:41; Ac 16:22–25; Ro 12:15; Col 1:24; 1 Pe 1:6; 1 Pe 1:8; 1 Pe 4:12; 1 Pe 4:16

Relying on the promise of God’s grace to endure

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

See also Ps 18:17–19; Na 1:7–8; Ro 8:18; Ro 8:35–39; 2 Ti 3:10–11; Heb 13:6; Re 3:10

Trusting in the promise of God’s presence

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

See also Ps 23:4; Is 43:2; Is 43:5; Mt 28:20; 2 Co 4:9

Praying always

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

See also Ps 35:24; Ps 38:15–16; Ps 129:5; Ps 143:9; Mic 7:7–8; Lk 6:28; Lk 18:7–8; 1 Pe 4:7

The certain prospect of victory over persecution

The triumph of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:25 ESV

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

See also Ob 21; Php 3:20–21; 2 Th 1:6–8; Re 11:15

The vindication of the saints

Jude 24 ESV

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

See also Ezr 6:8; Es 6:11–13; Ps 126:1; Da 6:26; Hag 2:22–23; 2 Ti 1:12; Re 2:10; Re 7:13–17; Re 12:11

Believers are to take heart from the example of Jesus Christ in facing persecution

The persecution of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT

Ps 22:1–18; Is 50:6; Is 53:7–12

The fulfilment of these predictions

Matthew 27:26–31 ESV

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

The relevance of Jesus Christ’s innocent suffering to believers

1 Peter 2:20–23 ESV

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

See also 1 Pe 3:14–17 suffering for the sake of righteousness; 1 Pe 4:13–14 rejoicing at sharing in Christ’s sufferings