3 Good Things About Being Persecuted

Many Christians are afraid of persecution. Here in America we are only seeing the very beginnings of religious persecution. Rarely here does one die for his faith. In other nations being a Christian can and does get you killed, your house burned down, your family beaten, and oftentimes you will be jailed. Yet here in America, where little persecution occurs, we find Christians expressing fear and concern, as it appears the party is soon to be over here. Persecution is coming. What are we to think of that?

This morning as I was studying the Gospel of Luke I discovered that persecution will actually be a good thing. Why? Three reasons.

First of all when we suffer persecution it is for the sake of the name of Christ that we will suffer. Listen to what Jesus says about this in Luke 21:12, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.”

Secondly when persecution comes the world thinks it is bringing dishonor to us. But in truth it is an honor to suffer for His name’s sake and it brings joy to the Christian as having suffered for Christ brings honor to us. In the Book of Acts we see this occurring to the disciples. Acts 5:40-41, “…and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Persecution did not stop the disciples at all. Verse 42 says that, “…every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”

But the third positive about persecution is the greatest. Simple people like you and me will have the opportunity to witness and possibly that witness will be to people in higher positions than we would not normally be able to reach. Luke 21:12-13 promises this saying “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

Friends we need not be afraid. Nothing happens that God isn’t aware of or that He doesn’t allow. Listen to the words of Peter from 1 Peter 3:13-17, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Persecution? Yea it’s probably coming to America. So get ready. Pray and study God’s Word. Ground yourself in faith. Trust God in whatever comes your way. If we say we trust Jesus for our eternal destination then we must also trust Him for our life on earth. The word martyr used in the Bible means witness in the Greek. As the end grows closer we must be His witness. That might be hard at times. But isn’t eternity with Jesus worth it?