Persecution is a common thing among those who are boldly speaking up and proclaiming the truth of God in Christ. Those who courageously stand up for the Lord often face opposition, some harsh and obvious, some subtle yet still deadly.
Friends, we have to understand that persecution is part of the package that we receive when we follow Christ.
Jesus spoke of this very sobering truth in Mark 10:29-31.
"Jesus said, 'Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.'"
Prepare your heart for it
Knowing this, friends, we all have to prepare ourselves for persecution in all its forms. We could be misrepresented by those who refuse to listen to the gospel, labeling us as "crazy." We could be left behind by our friends when they don't want the gospel, and don't want to be associated to a person who is "religious."
Here are some ways to respond to persecution before and when it comes.
1. Consider it a blessing
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Apparently, persecution is a blessing.
Persecution opens up doors for us that we have never thought possible. Persecution brings us to the kingdom of heaven. Persecution gives us the opportunity to receive great rewards – which would never be possible without it.
2. Count it an honour
Acts 5 shows Peter and John being persecuted for proclaiming the name of Jesus with signs and wonders – a confirmation that the Lord was among them doing wonderful things for His glory. But the religious leaders will have nothing to do with it. Thus they persecuted the apostles. The apostles considered it an honour, and so should we.
Acts 5:41 says, "The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus."
3. See it as an opportunity to bless
Jesus gave us a hard-to-do-but-it's-what-we-should-do command in Luke 6:27-28 about this matter:
""But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."
Friends, let's choose to do things the Jesus way: loving people so that they would see the real goodness of God. He will avenge us anyway, so let's just love people.
