In the early Church, disciples of Jesus were horribly persecuted. A kneejerk reaction might be to become incensed by the fact that anyone trying to do good in this fallen world would be afflicted instead of honored. But that’s a nearsighted perspective. Allow me to explain.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:18-20
This same Person, Jesus Christ, said:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant 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 all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
– John 15:18-21
Jesus commanded His disciples to go out into the world and spread His Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). Yet, He also warned them of the impending danger in doing so (John 15:18-21). Given guaranteed persecution, are we to just grin and bear it? I mean, do we just consider our calling as disciples merely a time of pure suffering without any benefits or blessings, whatsoever? Or should our hearts be encouraged by something greater than our immediate circumstances? Is there a strategy we might use in this life to make our suffering more bearable or even, dare I say, “enjoyable”? Jesus gives us guidance regarding this last question.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
– Matthew 10:16-20
Jesus speaks plainly about how His disciples ought to approach difficult circumstances. We are sent into a world that despises Christ and is increasingly openly antagonistic towards Christians. His advice is to play the game from a position of wisdom and strength – “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (v10).
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling.
– 2 Timothy 1:7-9a
We are not to shrink away from opposition, rather we are to meet it head on, focusing on the big picture, on the long-term objective of God’s salvific plan. If we perseverate on the immediate pain caused by our antagonists, we lose sight of two wonderful, albeit often unexpected, results of obeying the Lord. Jesus’ apostles learned this, and Luke shares an episode in their lives for our edification.
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. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
– Acts 5:40-42
In the early Church, being a Christian meant you were a social pariah. Those in power took great offense at the message Christians were spreading, for a multitude of reasons, especially because it undermined their position of reverence and power. So, disciples were routinely beaten and ordered to cease spreading the Gospel.
One might expect that after being physically thrashed a person would stop and think twice the next time. Instead, two incredible, unexpected things happened to the Apostles. First, they experienced joy, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (v41). Second, they had a renewed sense of zeal for spreading the Gospel, “they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” (v42).
Is there any reason to believe we can’t also experience these things whenever we’re persecuted for being a Christian? Was there something special about the Apostles, other than maybe they had more faith than most of us? What exemplified them was that they had godly perspective. They saw the big picture (they had divine viewpoint). As a result, they also prayed for those who persecuted them, as they were taught.
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
– Matthew 5:44-45a
With the right perspective, we, too, can rejoice in our suffering. It sounds like the strangest thing to say, but it’s an honor to be persecuted. If we’re convinced in our hearts that we are truly representing Christ in this world, persecution becomes a point of affirmation that we’re doing it right! This means God is pleased with us, for we are, in that moment of persecution, doing as we have been instructed. It’s like signing up to be a soldier and finally being given the opportunity to fight!
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
– Romans 12:1
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
– Philippians 3:7-8
Have you lost something for Christ? Is that what’s bugging you? Have you lost your precious reputation as a swell guy or gal? Have you been passive aggressively belittled for being a believer? Have you suffered for Christ’s sake? Good. You’re a soldier now. Your motivation should be different. You’re a fighter. Own it, for when you do, something amazing happens…you rejoice in your suffering and you’re more motivated than ever to spread the good news about your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll leave you with the words of a beautiful hymn, Onward Christian Soldier. Enjoy…
Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
[chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
At the sign of triumph, Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
[chorus]
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
[chorus]
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never against that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
[chorus]
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
[chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins