Clint Harper

Paul wrote, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:10-12). These words echo the sentiment of our Lord who said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12).

We see the persecutions that the first century Christians faced, literally on a day-by-day basis. Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7). Then the church was scattered because of the persecution, but they did not stop preaching Jesus (Acts 8:1-4). James, the brother of John, was killed by Herod (Acts 12:1-2). The Apostles were called before the Jewish Council and told not to preach in the name of Jesus. Before they were let go, they were beaten (Acts 5). All of these records are a testament to the fact that our Lord knew what he was talking about when he said that we shall suffer persecutions.

However, many people today look at the persecutions of the first century and compare them with today and conclude that we are not persecuted at all. It is true that we do not face the exact same persecutions as the first century Christians faced. However, it is not true that we do not face persecutions. Those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. We simply do not live in the same political and social climate as those did who are recorded in the Bible. Why did the Jews not put Jesus to death? It was against the law (John 18:31). Therefore, they turned to the ruling law of that day and had Jesus crucified according to Roman law. Today, there are laws that protect freedom of religion (at least in America) so that we are not persecuted the same way as they were in the first century.

Yet, we do suffer persecution today in varying forms. Academically, there are many people who are turned away from certain graduate programs simply because they believe in God. For the person who puts God and His kingdom first in his life, it is very hard to climb the corporate ladder. The dedicated Christian has already decided where he is going to make his sacrifices and the sacrifices that many expect the person to make to "make it to the top" of the corporate world are not an issue. Therefore, he is turned down for promotion after promotion.

There is that person who is turned away from a sports league or team because he refuses to allow the team schedule to interfere with his devotion to his God. It is required that the person to lay aside everything else to be part of the team. But again, the Christian has already made that decision.

We have all been affected by the fact that we are going to loose some friends and maybe even some family because of a stand for the truth. Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). The fact remains that the Gospel is such that not every one is going to believe it. Because of this, many people will refuse to be our friends when we decide to be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Have you ever noticed that most preachers do not preach in their hometowns? There is a very good reason for this. Jesus, in speaking of the people who saw him grow up, said, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house" (Matthew 13:57). Those who were familiar with Joseph and Mary’s family were not impressed with the person (Jesus) who grew up among them. Preachers today are not prophets, but the principle is the same. The old saying goes, "familiarity breads contempt." It is somewhat the same today with preachers having to "leave home" to preach in other areas of the country or abroad. The reason they do this is because many people will not listen to the boy they saw growing up.

Another aspect of that situation is, the wife of that preacher who moves away from home is often taken away from her family too. This may not be considered true persecution, but it is a loss nonetheless. However, as a result of this separation, there are many marriages of preachers, which are strained to the point of breaking. There have been many preachers’ wives who have left and gone home because they are "tired of being a preachers’ wife." Many times this is an indirect result of the persecution that caused them to move away from home in the first place.

There is no way that a single article could cover all the different aspects of persecution that Christians face today. There are many others you could list and others that you may be at a loss of words to describe.

However, the most powerful aspect of this situation is, God hears your cries. Peter said it this way, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…"(1 Peter 3:12). You remember when you were a little boy or little girl and you told someone (or yourself), "I’m gona tell my dad on you." The Father of all is listening, and all will be made right.

But first, we need to make sure that the persecution that is being presented upon us is "for righteousness’ sake" and not for either evil on our part or for our bad attitudes in presenting the truth. It is possible for us to present the pure Gospel of Christ in such a way that we turn people from the truth (Philippians 1:15-16). And we also need to make sure that we not living in hypocrisy when we are preaching to others (Romans 1:32 – 2:3; Matthew 7:1-7).

Second, we must have a forgiving attitude. Jesus said, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15). Jesus extended forgiveness to those who crucified him. Steven extended forgiveness to those who stoned him to death. Has something worse happened to you? And He expects us to have the same forgiving attitude.

Third, know that your brethren are there for you and that they care for you. Paul wrote, "Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). And, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32). Find some older Christian who you feel comfortable speaking with on a personal level and confide in him/her the things you are going through. You may find help there through that person’s wisdom that you never thought available.

Last, let that person who is going through some type of persecution that you are there for him/her. Tell them that you care and that you are willing to help.