Persecution

I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. Philippians 1:12

Remember how we used to sit around in Bible classes and struggle to come up with examples of real persecution in our lives? We would talk about how unlikely it was that any of us would be called upon to give our lives for our faith. We would talk about how not being invited to certain parties might be considered persecution. Knowing that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution,” (2 Timothy 3:12), we both hoped and doubted that being left out of a social event would count.

Then in 1999, it was reported that one of the Columbine shooters asked a fellow high school student if she believed in God. When she said yes, he asked, “Why?” and then shot her point blank. That is the first time I can remember hearing of someone giving their life for their faith in modern America.

This week it happened again. And not too many days before that, it happened to children at a Catholic school. Persecution. Real persecution that costs something.

What do the scriptures say?

First of all, we do sorrow, but we do not sorrow as those who have no hope. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Even though the pain for the families is unspeakable, we believe that those who have been killed for their faith are already finding comfort in Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22).

Secondly, we know that persecution usually has the opposite of the intended effect. Persecution does not stop Jesus or his church. It causes growth.

In Acts 8:1-3 we read that after Stephen’s martyrdom, there was “great lamentation” made over him, but “a great persecution arose against the church.” Saul the persecutor was bursting into Christians’ homes and “dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”

Things looked bleak for this group of Jesus followers. The persecution was so bad that many were fleeing their homes to go live elsewhere. And yet, the next verse tell us that “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”

Later when the persecutor converted and became the persecuted, Saul, known to the Gentiles as Paul, wrote to the Philippians while under house arrest to say, “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,” (Philippians 1:12). He said, “It has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ,” (v. 13). He added later, “With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” (Philippians 1:20b-21). Paul was not intimidated into silence.

And it’s important to note that neither were the Christians around him. Most of them had become “much more bold to speak the word without fear,” (v. 14).

Whether the persecution you and I face is great or small, Jesus understands. He was persecuted too. He was put to death because he was popular, his influence was growing, and his teachings didn’t fit the cultural narrative.

As his followers, we should not be surprised when we are treated in a similar way. Jesus himself said, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you,” (John 15:20).

In Revelation 6:9-11 when the martyrs ask, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood?” they are told to rest a while longer until the number of martyrs is filled. God’s final judgment draws nearer each time someone is killed for their faith in Christ.

No one enjoys being persecuted, even if it’s just something as small as being overlooked socially. But the bigger the persecution, the more the gospel spreads. Pray for peace, but be prepared to face persecution in a Christ-like way. And whether we live or die, Christ will be glorified.

God, as violence against Your people increases even in countries like the United States, we pray for two things. We pray that You, the God of all comfort, will help the brokenhearted families who are mourning. And we pray that you would give us all more boldness to speak the truth in love, without fear, knowing that for us, to live is Christ and to die is gain. To You and Your Son and the Holy Spirit be the glory now and forever. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins

Related Reading:

How Long, O Lord?

If you have my book, you can find a scripture-based prayer for boldness on pages 86-87. I’m sharing a picture of it here for any who do not have the book.