Ezekiel was called to speak truth to a hard-hearted and rebellious people, but God gave him the strength he needed and told him, “Do not be afraid of them!”
We live in a time when people have similar attitudes and responses to the truth. Sometimes we will suffer persecution, not just for what we say or do, but for who we are because darkness hates the light. And sometimes, our persecutors can be people close to us, even our own family members.
Also, what can we learn from Jesus about persecution? And what did Peter, who once denied his Lord, learn that can help us trust God and have the strength to do what He’s called us to do?
Recently we’ve talked about how to pull down strongholds, how to have God’s peace and stability in challenging times, persecution and why the world hates Christians, reasons God allows us to go through hardships, presumptuous sin, the gospel of grace, handling money wisely, thinking seriously about eternity, and so much more.
Christians throughout the centuries, have been persecuted, rejected, and martyred for their faith. Why does the world seem to hate us so much? Paul Nyquist in his book Prepare: Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture lists 3 reasons. And while we can’t avoid these truths, there is an important word of caution we need to consider.
We live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christ and Christianity. Religious freedom and tolerance have been replaced with intolerance and, even, hatred. Are you prepared for what could very well come in our lifetimes and, indeed, is already happening?
Back during the height of the pandemic, I heard one commentator say that some pastors, actually, want to spread COVID-19 because it furthers their political agenda. We have all heard comments claiming Christians are uncaring about others and their struggles with sexual issues and unwanted pregnancies. Many believers actually work tirelessly to help those who struggle with sin and heartache. But that doesn’t stop God’s enemies from making blanket statements that would have been roundly criticized in times past.
And try defending your faith in a university or high school classroom. Young people are regularly humiliated and even attacked for speaking the truth. Christian teachers and professors are often denied positions in the name of tolerance, a word that has come to mean anything but that.
Or watch your average movie or TV program. I cringe when they make it obvious a character is a minister of some kind. He will probably be made to look foolish, hypocritical, or mean-spirited before it’s over.
Yet, we have probably just begun to experience the hostility and persecution that the Bible tells us will come. So, what can we do to prepare?
It’s hard not to be discouraged when our faith is under attack, our nation seems to be changing at warp speed, evil is called good, and good evil. While we have reasons for concern, could our discouragement point to something deeper?
Is it possible to be excited about persecution? Here in Acts 4, Israel’s ungodly leaders threatened Peter and John telling them they were to no longer preach about Jesus. Instead of making them and the other disciples afraid, as John MacArthur says, “it exhilarated them.” Though God may allow men to criticize or persecute us at times, knowing He will turn it to our good and His glory can help us rejoice in the midst of it.
Once at a Bible study, the teacher opened with the question, “Can anything good come from persecution?” How would you answer that question? And how do you respond when it does come?” Because persecution, mistreatment, and rejection do come to us all.
It’s not always life-threatening. Sometimes it comes in more subtle ways, sometimes from our own family members and friends and that hurts. So, how does God use persecution for good and how might He be using it for good in your life and mine? And the most important question is, will we respond in godly ways, ways that will enable us to benefit and God to receive glory?
Today the battle for truth is raging. Truth itself has become relative and God’s Word carries no authority for the majority of people in our nation and much of the Western World. Some Christians find it difficult to work in their chosen fields without compromising their religious convictions. In many arenas, those who speak up for what is morally right are called bigoted, intolerant, or worse.
But we need to be careful about putting our hope in the government to change and protect us. While there might be a temporary slowing of the process, I believe in the long run these trends will continue, perhaps faster than we think possible. So, how can we prepare ourselves for the continuing battle?
Things in our culture are changing rapidly. Many believe the attacks on biblical principles, the marginalization of our beliefs, the loss of our freedoms, and the persecution toward us as believers will continue to increase. How will we respond to the challenges? Will we stay true to what we say we believe? Will we continue to stand up for biblical truth when it’s unpopular? What if it were outlawed? What can we do to prepare ourselves for what could happen?
Through the centuries, Christians have been burned at the stake, sawed in two, and crucified. They have been shot, fed to lions, and forced to choose between their faith and their freedom. Many were gassed along with the Jews for harboring their Jewish neighbors. These were people who were committed to their faith.
But according to Voice of the Martyrs, “More men and women are being persecuted today for Jesus than at any other time in human history. Millions of Christians face intense persecution and risk their lives for the sake of the Gospel.”
The Bible teaches that in the last days, evil, including every kind of persecution will continue to grow. But here in the US, we often feel somewhat insulated from all this. Most of us, probably, can’t imagine beheadings or people being burned alive here. But what if we were faced with the choice to stand up or betray Christ in the face of intense persecution? Would we be as committed to our faith as other believers around the world or as Christians in times past?
And I wonder, are we as committed to our faith as many of our Muslim neighbors are to theirs?
