Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for there is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10
Persecution is nothing new to Christians. Jesus warns many times of persecutions. HE never says that being a follower of His would be easy or fun.
Those who stand up for righteousness are often persecuted in the world. It is important to distinguish between morality and righteousness. Righteousness is what is right in the eyes of God. Morality is whatever the society of the day determines is right and wrong. Is it immoral to commit adultery? I would answer “no.” Because by some estimates, over 50% of people are doing it, that’s the majority. The President of the United States did it while in office, in his office, and no one seemed to care. Is it unrighteous to commit adultery? YES!!! And that’s never going to change—adultery will always be wrong in the eyes of God, even if our society thinks it is okay.
People who stand up for traditional families are being persecuted as unenlightened or intolerant. People who want to proclaim their faith publicly are often shunned. People who say “I’m going to church and not the ballgame” on Sundays see their kids not getting playing time on their teams.
What do we expect though? Jesus promised persecution. In Matthew 10:16-22 we read, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. . .Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their synagogues. . .Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. . .and you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” In John 15:18-20, we read, “If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.” and in John 16:2, we read “They will put you out of the synagogues, indeed the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”
The word “martyr” (in Greek martyria) means “witness.” There is an expectation that we will at some point have to be a witness to our faith, and though it may not include physical death, certain activities or ways of life will have to die. Because if they don’t, then there is no distinguishing a Christian from anyone else. If you get through life without ever feeling persecuted for your faith, you might wonder how strong your witness, your “martyria,” is for the faith. If one is looking for an easy life, don’t look to Christ. The way of Christ is not for the faint of heart. It is the way of the cross and martyrdom. Christians have a 2,000-year history of people who have died for the faith, beginning with St. Stephen, the first martyr. Christians have been persecuted since the dawn of Christianity, and today they still are being tortured and killed in parts of the world.
Even though we won’t get killed for our faith, at least hopefully not, we are still supposed to give witness for Christ in our lives. Without the cross, there would have been no Resurrection. Without carrying the cross of Christ in our lives, there will be no eternal resurrection for us. We might be ridiculed, pressured, or made fun of for our faith in today’s post-Christian society. There is great temptation actually to compromise our faith and our practice, to conform to societal pressures to be certain ways that are not congruent with Christianity. It is important that we not compromise on things of faith, beliefs, values, and practices. Because compromising on little things leads to compromising on everything. There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian (every Christian is a struggling Christian)—if we are lukewarm with faith, or waffle in the face of opposition, it’s hard to feel actually committed to Christ and Christianity.
Why should we rejoice in persecution? Because the reward for the martyr, the witness, whether he dies for Christ or dies a natural death in Christ, is the reward of eternal life in heaven. Interestingly enough, the main symbol of the Christian is not the star of Bethlehem or the empty tomb, but rather the cross, the instrument of pain and suffering.
Why does the world hate Christians? The world acutely dislikes people whose lives are a condemnation of its secular values. Not conforming to the world’s (in my opinion declining) standards invites persecution. There is extreme social pressure to conform to “what everyone is doing”, whether it is cheating on taxes, texting, scrolling and posting while “at work”, alcohol abuse, etc. And yet to find the righteousness that only comes from God is to face persecution and ridicule for standing up to the things of God. This is the struggle. The reward is great. And faith is the courage to continue the struggle.
In Thee, O Lord, do I see refuge; let me never be put to shame; in Thy righteousness deliver me! Incline Thy ear to me, rescue me speedily! Be Thou a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! Yea, Thou art my rock and my fortress; for Thy name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net which is hidden for me, for Thou art my refuge. Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad for Thy steadfast love, because Thou hast seen my affliction, Thou hast taken heed to my adversities, and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a broad place. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. Yea, I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. But I trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, “Thou art my God.” My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors! Let Thy face shine on Thy servant; save me in Thy steadfast love! Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on Thee; let the wicked be put to shame ,let them go dumbfounded to Sheol. Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt. O how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for those who fear Thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men! In the covert of Thy presence Thou heist them form the plots of men; Thou holdest them safe under Thy shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me, when I was beset as in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from Thy sight.” But Thou didst hear my supplications, when I cried to Thee for help. Love the Lord, all you His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly requites him who acts haughtily. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31
Point to ponder: What is the most common type of “persecution” you face—at school, at home, at work, with friends, in sports? Do you pause to pray for clarity and guidance when you are in a situation where you fear being “persecuted?”
