Attitudes to persecution

The call to endure in the face of persecution

Passively

Psalm 119:87 NIV

They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

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Actively

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

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,

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Attitudes believers are to adopt in facing persecution

Living holy and forgiving lives

1 Peter 2:12 NIV

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.

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Rejoicing in suffering

Romans 5:3–5 NIV

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

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Relying on the promise of God’s grace to endure

Lamentations 3:22–23 NIV

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.

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Trusting in the promise of God’s presence

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

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.”

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Praying always

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

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 Lord’s people.

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The certain prospect of victory over persecution

The triumph of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:25 NIV

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

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The vindication of the saints

Jude 24 NIV

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

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

The persecution of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT

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The fulfilment of these predictions

Matthew 27:26–31 NIV

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. Then they 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 NIV

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 suffering for the sake of righteousness; rejoicing at sharing in Christ’s sufferings