Persecuted

Matthew 24:9-10

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other."

The disciples faced intense persecution for sharing the gospel with the world. All but one of them, John, died a martyr's death.

But, persecution did not stop them!

And it didn't end in the first century. Christians continue to be persecuted today.

More than half of Christians in the UK, claim to have experienced hostility, bullying and ridicule for their faith. (Non profit Voice for Justice UK)

When you stand up and say "I am a Christian," you can expect pushback, resistance and even persecution.

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12:

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

The only Christians who escape opposition, are those who either shelter themselves from the world, or those who mask their faith by conforming to the world.

Jesus modelled for us the proper balance. He walked among the worldly without becoming like them. He mingled with sinners but never sinned. He showed them God's love and spoke the truth without compromise. Even when he faced betrayal and torture and an excruciating death, Jesus stood for Truth because He knew the eternal significance of His sacrifice.

Recent figures from Open Doors state that over 365 million Christians face persecution and discrimination, that is 1 in 7 believers! Persecution is particularly severe in certain regions such as Africa and Asia, they are experiencing threats, violence, being driven from their homes, imprisoned due to false blasphemy charges, subjected to terrorism, kidnappings, assault and martyrdom.

As believers living in the Western World, where generally we can worship our God freely and openly, it is hard to fathom our brothers and sisters in Christ, being persecuted in this way because of their love of Jesus. We should pray for them, ask God to give them strength and endurance to persevere. To remain faithful in their mission and strong in their faith.

Staying strong in the midst of persecution is one of the most powerful testimonies a Christian can offer. It says to unbelievers, "Here is something more important than my life."

What is key to remember is that our persecutors are in desperate need of salvation, they hate the Truth because it condemns their sinfulness and pride. We should pray for them.

It takes great faith to believe that God is able to deliver us from our difficulties. It is radical faith, however to say that if God does not do that, it's okay! To have a persevering faith like this may not bring deliverance from our trials, but it will make us "perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

This radical faith is not formed through a life of ease, it is formed in the crucible of persecution, and because those being persecuted, have lived through such severe difficulties, it has given their faith an opportunity to become deep and powerful.

James 1:2 also tells us the trials, difficulties and persecution that we may face as a Christian, we should receive with an attitude of joy. We learn that these circumstances can be used by God to benefit us in significant ways. When we can understand the struggles of life as the means through which a faithful God perfects and completes us, even those very difficulties, can be considered to be joy. To live in such a way is to live in radical joy.

It is easy for us to become focused on life in the here and now. This life is temporary, Heaven is eternal. Those who are persecuted for His sake are guaranteed a great reward that will last forever. (Matthew 5:12)

How joyful is that!