Attitudes to persecution

The call to endure in the face of persecution

Passively

Psalm 119:87 NASB95

They almost destroyed me on 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 NASB95

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, 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 NASB95

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, 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 NASB95

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, 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 NASB95

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses 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 NASB95

Make sure that your character 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 NASB95

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be 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 NASB95

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 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,

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 NASB95

Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 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!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After 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 NASB95

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered 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