Persecution (2)

Expect Persecution

1 Peter 4:12 NASB95

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

The Jews that Peter is writing to are dispersed from Jerusalem. They are being persecuted by the Pharisees and the Romans. The Pharisees persecuted them because Christianity posed a threat to their religion. (Judaism) The Roman Caesar Nero leveraged the hatred of the Pharisees toward the Christians for their own political gain. Nero wanted to re build Rome but knew the people of Rome would not support it. Nero set Rome on fire and blamed the Christians for setting the fire. Christians were hated everywhere they went.

Peter tells them not to be surprised at the fiery ordeals that were happening to them. They should expect them because Jesus told them that they would be persecuted. John 15:18

John 15:18 NASB95

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

The world is going to hate Christians because they hated Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:12 NASB95

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Paul encourages Timothy that being a Christian will involve persecution.

Persecution today

Today we live in a anti-christian society. All other religions seem to have protections and freedoms except Christianity. We are often labeled as right wing terrorists. The “woke” environment that we live in today prohibits Christians for standing up for Biblical principles. They call us intolerant and not in touch with today’s standards. We are very much in touch with today’s standards and culture and stand in opposition to many of the standards because they are in direct opposition to the word of God.

We must not be quiet and sit around and let our communities, states, and nation be driven by heretical philosophy, ungodly doctrine, and declining morality. We must pray for change and then do something about it. We must let our voices be heard by electing godly men and women that have a backbone and will stand up for what is right and not compromise on biblical principles.

Personally you may face persecution from your job, family, and even friends. When you stand up for what is right and do not participate in the things you used to do you may be ostracized and made fun of. You may lose career advancement opportunities if you fail to do something that is unethical.

Living to Christian life will require suffering. The problem is that too many Christians value comfort over living as a Christian. They would rather remain silent than stand up for truth. When we do this we show the world that we are weak. When we refuse to bow down to political correctness and begin to stand for biblical morality , it is then that the church will make a difference.

SO HOW DO WE DO THIS?

Leverage Persecution

Understanding that persecution is required as a Christian, how do we deal with it. Persecution is not desirable for anyone in their right mind. We would never seek out someone that is going to persecute us. We would try to avoid them. However we know that persecution is unavoidable. So if persecution is undesirable yet unavoidable, then how do we deal with it? 1 Peter 4:13-14

1 Peter 4:13–14 (NASB95)

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Rejoice in the future reward for your suffering.

There is coming a day when we will be made recompense for the suffering of persecution that we endure here on earth. God will reward us. Matthew 5:11-12

Matthew 5:11–12 NASB95

“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; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus calls people that are persecuted blessed. Why is this? Because your reward in heaven is great. I don’t know about you but I want my reward to be massive. When we are molded by culture or refuse to avoid persecution we lose reward that we would have received otherwise.

We must see our persecution as an investment into our eternal future. Let’s make a stand for Christ and when persecution comes, and it will, we rejoice that we are storing up treasures in heaven.

Rejoice in the present day blessing

When we are reviled for the name of Christ, the Spirit of God rests on you. It is in the most difficult times that we find the closeness to God to be most evident. Psalms 34:18

Psalm 34:18 NASB95

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

It is in times of persecution and suffering that we are able to experience God in a degree that goes beyond religion and doctrine. We experience the person of God in a relational way that builds our trust and love for God.

Many people miss relationship with God because they fear suffering and persecution. I am not saying that you cannot experience God in the good times, but I am saying there is something special about leaning into the Lord when things go bad!

Assess Your Persecution

Just because you are being persecuted does’t mean you are being persecuted for Christ’s sake. Sometimes we bring persecution and suffering on ourselves. 1 Peter 4:15-18

1 Peter 4:15–18 NASB95

Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

There are times where we need to be persecuted and suffer. Peter mentions 4 things that warrant persecution without reward. Murder, stealing, sinful living, and meddling in other peoples business. Obviously we can see that a murderer will suffer the consequences of this act. Even when Jesus elaborates on the motive for murder as anger we see that suffering and persecution will be part of your life. If you are an angry person you will suffer and no one will want to be around you.

A thief is another obvious person that will suffer persecution and suffering without reward. When you rob others then you demonstrate that you value material possessions over relationships. You will be miserable because material possessions will never bring you the gratification you think they will. You will always desire just a little bit more.

Living a sinful lifestyle (evil doer) creates suffering and persecution. The natural consequences of living the lifestyle of evil requires much suffering.

The last one Peter mentions is interesting. He puts a meddler in the same class as a murderer. This doesn’t seem like they are on the same level until you dig deep and begin to ask the question, “why do people meddle in other peoples business?” Most of the time people meddle in other peoples business to gain an upper hand so that they may hold a deficiency over them. Perhaps even use it in some form of black-male. Needless to say meddling in others people business to gain an advantage is a serious offense.

Punishment for sinners

Peter reminds those that are suffering for Christ that it is required of them, but also reminds sinners that their punishment and suffering will be much worse and without reward.

For those who obey the gospel they will face persecution and suffering but will yield reward and everlasting life. For those who do not obey the gospel they too will suffer and ultimately be cast away from God forever in the lake of fire.

Trust God In Your Persecution

When we face difficulties in life for the sake of Christ it will not seem fair or be pleasant. God may even seem to be silent. Understand that God is aware and cares about what you are going through.

Our temptation may be to question God or even blame God for our difficulties, but always remember the promises of God. John 10:27-30

John 10:27–30 NASB95

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “I and the Father are one.”

Ephesians 1:13–14 (NASB95)

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Philippians 1:6 NASB95

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NASB95)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

2 Timothy 1:12 NASB95

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Jude 24–25 (NASB95)

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.