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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Is there a scriptural “promise” of persecution? Read on, “…you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Mat. 24:9-14Some interpret this passage as dealing primarily with Jerusalem’s fall and destruction by the Romans and/or end-times prophecy, but it also speaks to the consequences of living a Christ-centered life in a world of evil. Jesus promising us peace (John 14:27), not as the world does, with its false claims of security, but peace in the midst of trouble. He intends for us to have a full and abundant life (John 10:10 KJ), not necessarily getting all we want but having all we really need. (Luke 12:15) He provides salvation regardless of the position we hold or the circumstances we grow up in, offering it freely to all who believe. (John 3:16) But then he assures us of difficult times – of testing, tribulation – even persecution. Why? Because living an effective Christian life requires us to understand all the possibilities of that life and to be prepared for any and all eventualities.
A common thread running throughout scripture is that of persecution . In fact, Jesus assured his disciples at one point that nearly all he had spoken of beforehand had as its purpose the finding of peace in the midst of tribulation, encouraging them to look to him as an example of a life filled with both challenge and success. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 His life being the ultimate example of peace that comes not in the absence of trials but in the presence of God!
Well now – that may just be a problem; who wants to think about hardship and suffering? We all desire to “…live peaceful and quiet lives…” don’t we? 1 Timothy 2:2 But circumstances often beyond our control don’t always allow for such. Persecution in one form or other is often a natural outgrowth of a Christian lifestyle and most Christians at one time or another experience what might at least be called “tests of faith” as a result of their beliefs. These tests ranging anywhere from the silent treatment and ridicule to harsh treatment and more. But this should be expected! If our faith truly makes us different, a “peculiar” people (Titus 2:14 KJ) as we are called to be, ridicule is likely. Those outside the faith typically responding in one of two ways; their interest is piqued and they ponder the claims we make for our Savior or they are offended as they recognize their shortcomings but refuse to see them as such and blame the Word and those who proclaim it as the source of their discomfort.
This tendency to lash out in anger over revealed sin rather than changing to accommodate God’s will is not new. Conflict has been a fact of life for believers throughout history, beginning with Adam and Eve’s sons, Cain and Abel. (Genesis 4) When the earth was young, the nature of man was revealed in an act of self-centered jealously; one brother “persecuted” by the other because of his differentness. The problem being not so much one person doing good, the other bad; but one doing best and being acknowledged for it – which led to jealousy in the other. This jealousy, unresolved, grew to hatred; goading the one brother to kill the other. Cain, rather than seeing his lack and changing his ways in repentance, allowed his sense of guilt to focus on the one who “caused” his discomfort and anger; lashing out in retaliation.
Most Western Christians are fortunate in that the general call to suffering has been relatively painless for several generations. Likewise, the Christian experience in America has been particularly unique in that persecution has been virtually non-existent. That is not the case elsewhere and may not continue to be so here; many failing to comprehend that our reprieve is an historical oddity. We have mistakenly assumed that past generations experienced all the suffering necessary as groundwork for our cultured Christian society; the way now being clear for a gentle glide into glory. The real problem is that while our lives have been eased our message has quieted.
Many current issues, however, have become stumbling blocks to our sense of complacent serenity. When Christians begin speaking out; dismay, concern and retaliation in the form of harassment is likely to follow from those who disagree with us. As society at large embraces abortion, unrestrained sex of the heterosexual and now the homosexual variety, substance abuse (whether it be in the form of smoking, drinking or drugs) and euthanasia, Christians should recognize the potential for trouble as we are depicted as the odd man out, holding the rest of society back in the exercise of their freedom to choose what’s best for themselves. Even though living in a “Christian” society, many Americans don’t truly practice their profession and don’t like to have a finger pointed at them without pointing back. Being born-again has become a fad for some but as fads often do, they fade in popularity and are replaced by something new; inspiring ridicule for what’s been left behind.
The Christian stand concerning sin and the individual’s responsibility for their actions is actually being blamed for many of society’s ills today! It is said that we make people feel guilty, and as guilt is a negative emotion, it influences people to lash out and misbehave further. The Apostle Paul describing many in the world today, “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:22 & Proverbs 14:9) And as we witness the personal and religious subversion occurring across the Middle East, Africa, China, Russia and East Asia, we see how the less secure people feel, the more extreme they often become in their actions. The danger being that in a troubled society, people become increasingly more willing to see rights and freedoms suspended – with the risk of a more totalitarian form of government being installed – if convinced that security and stability will be enhanced. They then look for a convenient scapegoat to blame if it doesn’t.
To sit around contemplating our demise would be wrong, but to consider it not at all, to make no provision for coping and responding to trouble could be catastrophic. We should always, in all things, hope and look for the best while preparing for the worst. It’s human nature not to want to consider evil or bad things happening to anyone. What might be worse would be for us to be so unprepared for such an eventuality that, if it did occur, we would be caught so off-guard that we would be unable to make an appropriate response, at times actually blaming God for the problem and questioning his ability or willingness to protect and care for us. The Bible nowhere promises us life without trouble. What it does repeatedly promise us is the power to persevere. The path open to us never being a way out but a way through.
Both Testaments give ample evidence of those who persevered under pressure, endured hardship and stood firm while having their faith tested. Check back next week for practical examples of those who embraced the “difficulties” of life as a blessing, looking forward to the promise of heaven as their reward. (Matthew 5:10-12)
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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