Attitudes to persecution

The call to endure in the face of persecution

Passively

Psalm 119:87 NIV84

They almost wiped me from the 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 NIV84

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for 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 NIV84

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

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 NIV84

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given 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 NIV84

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 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 NIV84

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I 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 NIV84

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying 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 NIV84

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 NIV84

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and 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 NIV84

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The relevance of Jesus Christ’s innocent suffering to believers

1 Peter 2:20–23 NIV84

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted 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