Attitudes to persecution

The call to endure in the face of persecution

Passively

Psalm 119:87 LSB

They almost made an end of me on the earth, But as for me, I did not forsake 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 LSB

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, 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 LSB

by keeping your conduct excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good works, as they observe them, glorify God in 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 LSB

And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was 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 LSB

The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, 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 LSB

Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER 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 LSB

praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition 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 LSB

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 LSB

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,

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 LSB

Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him over to be crucified. Then when the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, they gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. When they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

The relevance of Jesus Christ’s innocent suffering to believers

1 Peter 2:20–23 LSB

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this finds favor with God. For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps, WHO DID NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; who being reviled, was not reviling in return; while suffering, He was uttering no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.

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