1. Be pleased to suffer for his name
After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name. Every day in the temple complex and in various homes they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Messiah is Jesus.
Acts 5:40-42 (emphasis added)
In this passage, the apostles suffer persecution at the hands of the Sanhedrin. What is their reaction, upon release? First, the apostles actually rejoice because they were considered worthy to suffer for Jesus. Second, even though they were warned not to speak again in the name of Jesus, the apostles continued to proclaim the Gospel every day in private homes as well as in public at the temple complex. No complaining, no political actions or movements.
2. The Gospel is the power of God
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (emphasis added)
In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes it clear that the Gospel is the power of God. That is, it is not the power of you, me, the church, or any other human being or construct. If this is true, then all the persecution in the world will not be able to not stop the Gospel. Why, then am I tempted to rise up and fight when I hear of persecution of Christians in the United States? Could it be that I am selfishly focused upon myself and my own comfort and well-being?
3. Jesus promised it would happen
If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the one who sent me.
John 15:18-21 (emphasis added)
Jesus left us with many promises. One such promise is that we will suffer persecution for his name. Why, then, should time and energy be wasted in order to fight something which is simply unavoidable? Do we wish to make Jesus a liar?
4. Ending persecution would not necessarily make our country more Godly
For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. Those whose lives are in the flesh are unable to please God.
Romans 8:6-8 (emphasis added)
What if Christians were able to bring an end to persecution in the United States? Would this be more pleasing and glorifying to the Lord than our current state? I think not.
In order that one might please God, he or she must not have a mind-set of the flesh, but rather, a mind-set of the Spirit. In order that one might have a mind-set of the Spirit, he or she must be rescued from the flesh. In order to be rescued from the flesh, one must be crucified with Christ. The Lord does not desire the empty actions and works of men. The Lord desires surrendered hearts and lives.
5. In this world you will have trouble
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
John 16:33
Yet another inconvenient promise from Jesus. Suffering is inevitable. See #3.
6. Paul’s, Silas, and the Jailer
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are seized by a mob after having casted a fortune-telling demon out of a slave girl. They are stripped of their clothes, beaten, and thrown in jail. At around midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, there was an earthquake. All the jail doors opened and their chains came loose. The sleeping jailer awoke and drew his sword to kill himself, as he thought the prisoners had escaped. Instead, he was greeted by the sound of Paul’s voice who told him to stop and that all of the prisoners were still present. As the story continues we discover that not only was the jailer saved, but his entire household believed as well.
The eternities of the jailer and his family were impacted because Paul and Silas chose to respond to persecution by witnessing to their persecutors. What if they had hired lawyers, and teamed up with local politicians in order to fight this injustice? What if their response had been anything other than to proclaim the Gospel?
7. Christianity has flourished under persecution in the past
As we read through the book of Acts we see that, even in its infancy, the Christian movement was under intense persecution. Nevertheless, the Good News of Jesus Christ continued to flourish. This has been true throughout the history of Christianity. The Gospel is not hindered by persecution. Persecution is not a formidable opponent. See #2.
8. Avoid Distraction
Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20 (emphasis added)
Christians have been called to make disciples. This calling should be our passion. Let us not become distracted with temporal concerns, for the eternities of those around us (yes, even our oppressors) hang in the balance.
9. Shouldn’t we be praying?
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:44
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14
Instead of engaging our opponents in conflict, why not pray for them? Why not bless them? How much time do I spend praying for the salvation of those who persecute me?
10. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
I do not desire to trivialize the persecution Christians experience in the United States. However, it should be noted that the persecution we experience in this country is extremely mild in comparison to the persecution Christians experience in other countries. We need not fear a brand of persecution that kills.
Persecution is not something we should seek to avoid, but rather something we should expect. Persecution is something we are called to endure as we fix our eyes on the victory we have in Christ. It is the mission of all Believers to spread the Gospel, regardless of the cost. Let us not become distracted from this mission, for each moment spent fighting persecution is a moment that could have been spent proclaiming the Gospel.
