Last Lessons #28 – PERSECUTION

I used to memorize scripture in my younger days. I’m not so good at it now, but I am glad that there are those verses that come back to me when I need them. For example:

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12

It seems that today when Christians are pro-life, pro-family, pro-truth, even pro-GOD we are persecuted. The present-day persecution started full-swing when left wing non-Christians cancelled right wing Christians for speaking against the sins of our country. The next steps in persecution have been ridicule and firing of employees who do not agree with the policies of the party in control. We can be sure that next there will fines and/or imprisonment for speaking out and protesting against unjust and harmful laws made by leaders.

Yes, persecution will come to all those who are not quiet and obey, but especially to Christians. Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me they will also persecute you.” John 15:20

But there is another passage in Scripture that I’m glad I memorized many years ago:

“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.” Matthew 5:11-12

The reason that the prophets were persecuted was because they spoke out. They spoke for God about what was right and what was wrong in the culture of the times. They were not afraid to speak because they had the authority of God behind them. Some of them suffered imprisonment or were killed because they dared to speak the truth (Matthew 23:29-31). No one is persecuted for just being quiet. But Christians who are brave enough and strong enough to speak out to our culture today about what God says is right and what is wrong, will be persecuted. It will happen. The question for me is, “Am I willing to suffer for Christ?” Not suffer for what I think but suffer for what God says in his Word. Going back to our verse, when we are persecuted on Christ’s account, we can rejoice and be glad because our reward will be great in heaven. Personally, I am not too excited about being persecuted or waiting until heaven to be rewarded! However, I am convinced that if enough Christians speak out today about the truth of God’s laws and are willing to be persecuted for it that some of the evil laws of this land could be changed.

Finally, the Bible tells us as Christians how we are to respond to persecution. “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.” 1 Corinthians 4:12

I pray that I will be up to the challenge. How about you?