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There is no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living the Christian life. Christian persecution is to be expected: the apostle Paul warned that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” «Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. », (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute His followers «Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your’s also. », (John 15:20). Jesus made it clear that those of the world will hate Christians because the world hates Christ. If Christians were like the world—vain, earthly, sensual, and given to pleasure, wealth, and ambition—the world would not oppose us. But Christians do not belong to the world, which is why the world engages in Christian persecution (see John 15:18-19). Christians are influenced by different principles from those of the world. We are motivated by the love of God and holiness, while the world is driven by the love of sin. It is our very separation from the world that arouses the world’s animosity (1 Peter 4:3-4).
Christians must learn to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it, not in an ostentatious way but quietly and humbly because persecution has great spiritual value. First, the persecution of Christians allows them to share in a unique fellowship with the Lord. Paul outlined a number of things he had surrendered for the cause of C
Christ. Such losses, however, he viewed as “rubbish” «Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, », (Philippians 3:8) or “dung” (KJV) that he might share in the “fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings” «that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; », (Philippians 3:10). The noble apostle even counted his chains as a grace (favor) that God had bestowed upon him «even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. », (Philippians 1:7).
Second, in all truth, Christian persecution is beneficial for believers. James argues that trials test the Christian’s faith, develop endurance in his life, and help foster maturity (James 1:2-4). As steel is tempered in the forge, trials and persecution serve to fortify the character of believers. A Christian yielding graciously to persecution demonstrates that he is of superior quality compared to his adversaries see Hebrews 11:38. It’s easy to be hateful, but Christlikeness produces kindness and blessing in the face of evil opposition. Peter says of Jesus, “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” «who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judget
H righteously: », (1 Peter 2:23).
Third, Christian persecution allows believers to appreciate the support of genuine friends more deeply. Conflict can unite faithful children of God in an uplifting and encouraging manner they may not have experienced otherwise. Hardship can prompt the Lord’s people to a stronger determination to show love, provide comfort, and lift each other up in prayer. There is nothing quite like a challenging situation to help us reach a higher level of brotherly affection.
Even when facing Christian persecution, we can persevere. We can be grateful to God for His grace and patience towards us. We can show appreciation for those we cherish in the Lord and who stand by us in times of trouble. And we can pray for those who may accuse, mistreat, or harm us (2 Corinthians 11:24;Romans 10:1).
