“Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm . . . (Acts 2:2, ISV)
For the past 7 posts I have been discussing the Beatitudes (See “Humble Pie and Crow,” from 4/29/22, and following posts.) Of the 8 Beatitudes, the first 7 describe the life that God calls us to pursue. The 8th describes the outcome of this “Beatitude” life. The Lord tells us we will be persecuted by the world, but you will have great reward in heaven, and receive God’s blessing.
The evidence confirms the presence of hate for Christians in the world. According to ACN (Aid to the Church in Need) research, almost 340 million Christians around the world live under some kind of persecution such as violence, murder, arrest, and human rights violations. Open Doors research in 196 countries indicates in 2018 at least 4000 Christians were murdered, and in the 50 nations most hostile to Christians 11 believers are killed every day. In these same 50 nations, over 300 Christians are unjustly imprisoned every month. Open Doors released its annual World Watch List 2023 confirming that 1 out of every 7 Christians in the world suffers high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith” (Vatican News, 18 January 2023.),
I’ve not seen this level of persecution in the United States. There have been an increasing number of deadly incidents at churches in America in the last two decades, but the motives may not always be anti-Christian. In the modern era, the first mass shooting in a church occurred in 1980 at the First Baptist Church in Daingerfield, Texas. Five were killed and ten others injured, and the shooter intended to get revenge for a domestic issue.
From 1966 to 2000, religious hate was a factor in 1 percent of mass shootings (defined as 4 or more victims by the Congressional Research Service.) From 2000 to 2014, religious hate fueled 9 percent of shootings, and jumped to 17% between 2018 and February, 2020. Since the Columbine school shooting in 1999, 23 fatal church shootings have occurred, the worst in 2017, at First Baptist Sutherland Springs in Texas, with 26 people murdered.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12, NASB, my emphasis.)
So, you might ask, in what ways did “they persecute the prophets before you?”
The writer of Hebrews gives us an expanded idea: “Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented” (Hebrews 11:35-37, NASB.)
Quite a horrible list. If I get to choose, don’t put me down for “sawn in two.” I honestly don’t know how I would respond to severe persecution of those I love. I have no doubt persecution against Christians will increase. To quote Jerry Bridges, “I suspect our own court system will eventually fail us, as more and more judges are appointed who have been trained in law schools that at best are indifferent to biblical righteousness and at worst openly hostile to it” (The Blessings of Humility, © 2016, p. 77.)
But how are we to respond to any kind of persecution?
First, there are few rules in the Bible about whether to submit yourself to persecution or not, that is, whether to “stay or go.” John Bunyan (1628-1688), who was an English writer and preacher who knew something about persecution for his faith, described the strength test and the heart test. Basically, assess whether you physically have the strength to face the trial, and ask what your heart is telling you. Is the Spirit telling you to face the persecution or to walk away and stand another day?
Our Lord Jesus tells us, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you” (Luke 6:27-28, NASB.)
These are not suggestions. Jesus told us to do these things.
He also told us, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19, ESV.)
There’s an illustration of the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. One day you are driving a car along the road of your life, and you pull over and ask Jesus to come along for the ride. He sits in the passenger seat, and after a while He tells you, “I want to drive.” So, you change seats and Jesus is now the driver of your life and you acknowledge His Lordship over your life.
Jerry Bridges said in his book, The Blessings of Humility (© 2016, pp. 60-61), “In recent years I have concluded that this driving illustration is insufficient to picture the Lordship of Christ. Closer to the truth is that the Lord does not say, ‘I want to drive’ but rather, ‘I own this car.’ Paul puts it this way, ‘You are not your own; you were bought with a price.’ (I Corinthians 6:19-20).”
We need to prepare for how we will respond to persecution. Personally, I know how I want to respond, but if persecution becomes more severe in our beloved country, will I truly believe that God is sovereign over all the affairs of life? I trust His Spirit to help me when that time comes, and if I fail, I will get up and He will greet me like the prodigal son’s father, who was overjoyed and raced to greet his returning son.
God is still building His church. I don’t know what His plans are for the next year, or the next century, nor do I know when Jesus will return. I do see signs of His Spirit moving in America, and not just in the recent Asbury College event.
My wife, Candace, and I have made a commitment to pray every day for God to send His Spirit out upon our country and breathe the fire of His Word into every corner, and I invite you to do the same. Let us lift our prayers to Him Who hears and cares. Just think how glorious for our Father to hear, if every stadium at every college and university in the nation filled with people praising God, committed to spreading His Gospel and making disciples. Hallelujah!
Whatever comes, persecution, a great awakening, or something else, we serve a God Who sees all and nothing surprises Him. His plans will take place according to His will. We serve a God Who is full of mercy and compassion for those who love Him, and call upon His name.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV.)
Selah