Persecution - Part 2

We have established that when we are active and witnessing for Christ, bringing lost souls to repentance and salvation, we may well meet, sooner or later, with persecution.  The Persecution may be related to the people we are reaching for Christ, but sometimes trouble may ‘flare up’ elsewhere ‘for no apparent reason’.

What should we do when persecuted

Psalm 7:1 says “I come to you for protection, O Lord, my God.  Save me from my persecutors – rescue me!”

When we experience opposition or persecution, our first response should be to draw near to God and ask him for His help.  We need to pray before we witness, to pray at all times for the Lord’s protection, and if we are under ‘attack’ to pray, enlisting help from others e.g. in our house group or prayer meetings, for help.  United prayer is even more powerful and could break the difficulties you are experiencing.  Remember that nothing can happen which God would not allow.

Being Persecuted is a confirmation that we are doing the right thing usually

Matthew 24:9 states “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me”.  

Devotion to Jesus brings opposition and persecution from those who do not want to believe the Good News.”

Sometimes, we are to do nothing if persecuted:

Isaiah 53:7  says “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word.  He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth."

Following Jesus means that we, like Him, might have to endure persecution without fighting back.

Matthew 5:44 - “But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!”

1 Peter 3:9  - “Don’t repay evil for evil.  Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.”

God calls us to answer persecution by loving, blessing, and praying for those who oppose us.

Sometimes, we have to flee from persecution

Matthew 10:23 says “When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next.”

Continue doing what is right, when persecuted.

No matter how much opposition or persecution we experience, we must continue doing what is right and trusting in God to take care of us.

1 Peter 4:19 - “If you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you.”

A Promise from God for the Persecuted:

Matthew 5:10-12 - “God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.

Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in Heaven.”

Why we shouldn’t “throw in the towel” when persecuted.

We must be loyal to God and obey His commands.  He has commanded us to “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel” so that is our ‘task in hand’.  He may also have called us to be a doctor, a teacher, a nurse, or some other occupation.  Whatever we do, we should always be willing to grasp opportunities to speak to people about the Good News of Christ.

We must not ‘hide’ in fear of being persecuted.

Think about Jesus.  If Jesus had kept quiet about His message, then millions of people around the world would not be Christians today.

If millions are Christians today, then millions must have told them The Good News of Jesus.

One day, in Judgement, God will separate the believers from the unbelievers.

In the end, everyone must given an account of themselves to God.

God has a work for you to do, and part of it, is to pass on the “Good News” of Salvation. He has died so that we may live, and He wants us to have life in fullness.

The Bible tells us not to bother about those who will not believe or mock us.  It tells us that one day “we shall have a voice in their judgement”; in other words, our words to them will not have been wasted, and may be used as evidence in deciding their eternal destiny.

I urge you therefore, to keep on doing the work of the Lord by ministering His word and reaching out to the lost whatever the cost.

Remain blessed and highly favoured.
Keith Dixon.