CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO PERSECUTION
“Just like shaving a tiger’s hair doesn’t do away with
its stripes, so I am still a Christian.” These are the words of Mrs.Vo Thi
Manh, a Vietnamese grandmother imprisoned for her faith. “I will not run away.
I am ready to take a stand.” Saratu Turundu was a 35-year-old unmarried woman
who loved the children she taught in Sunday school. A fanatical Muslim mob in
Nigeria killed her for her faith in Christ.
These are just two of the millions of voices of
persecuted Christians that are often ignored by the news media but are worth
listening to and paying attention to. Over 70 million Christians have been
martyred over the last two millennia, more than half of which died in the 20th century
under fascist and communist regimes. Approximately 1 million Christians were
killed between 2001 and 2010, and about 900,000 were killed from 2011 to 2020.”[1]
When Christians worldwide are being persecuted for
their faith, Christians in the West, particularly in the USA, are not touched
by Persecution. What if our freedom to worship Jesus and attend Church is taken
away? Could Christians in the USA be martyred for their faith?
Those of us who live in our bubble of security brush
these questions away and think that these things will never happen to us but
only happen to people living in third-world countries. I have news for you this
morning. Martyrdom has always been a part of Church history. I wish I could
tell you that Persecution is waning and our brothers and sisters are treated
fairly and justly. Instead, statistics suggest that the Persecution of
Christians is more common in our generation.
The prophecies
of Daniel on the Persecution of God’s people are coming true. Whether ready or
not, Persecution is coming to the USA. How will we handle Persecution? How did
Jesus prepare his disciples for it? How should Christians respond to Persecution?
John 15:9-27
I.
Jesus said, “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you.”
There is a direct connection between love and
obedience. We see that connection in how Jesus lived His life and expects His
disciples to live the same way. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my
commandments.” (John 14:15). In the passage, we read the word, love appears
eight times, signifying that love and obedience are interconnected; they both
go hand in hand.
Jesus loved the Father, so He obeyed his commandments,
which led him to lay down His life on the cross so that many would be saved.
Similarly, if we say we love Jesus, we will obey His commandments, which means
to love others through words and deeds. To be salt and light in our communities
and when we can share the Good News with others.
Jesus said, since they persecuted me, naturally they
will persecute you. So, it shouldn’t surprise us when we are persecuted for our
faith. The apostle Paul who endured much Persecution for the gospel’s sake
charges Timothy saying, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12
If you are a true disciple of Christ and decide to
live a godly life, you will be persecuted. Persecution means: “Hostility and
ill-treatment, primarily based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or
political beliefs.” These acts of hostility may include violence and even
killing.
Don’t think we are
the only ones being persecuted when we go through such hostility. Since the
creation, God’s people, prophets, Jesus, His disciples, and man of Christ’s
followers in the Church’s history have endured and are continuing to endure
Persecution.
Many of our brothers and sisters in Manipur, India,
China, Sudan, Egypt, North Korea, Saudi Arabia,
Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, and several other countries are being
hated, excommunicated, driven out of their homes, harassed, and even being
killed all because they said yes to following Jesus. Let me introduce you to
the early apostles martyred for their faith.
II.
The Early Martyrs and their response to Persecution
Jesus (AD 33) prayed for his persecutors
on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are
doing.” (Lk 23:34). Stephen, (AD34) The first Martyr of the Church,
while being stoned to death, “fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge
them with this sin!” And with that, he died. (Acts 7:60). Stephen’s death
ushered in great Persecution.
James the Great (AD 44), the son
of Zebedee, was the first apostolic martyr beheaded in Jerusalem by the order
of King Herod. Acts 12:2. Philip (AD 54) was crucified and stoned by the
establishment. Matthew (AD 60) was martyred by being staked and speared
to the ground.
Andrew (AD 69) was martyred by being bound
to an X-shaped cross for three days. Bartholomew was martyred by being
skinned alive and crucified head downward. James the Lesser was martyred
by being thrown from a pinnacle of the temple at Jerusalem, then stoned.
Jude was martyred by being beaten with a
club and crucified in 72 AD. Simon Peter was crucified upside down as he
requested because he did not consider himself worthy of being crucified like
Jesus in 68 AD. Simon was martyred by crucifixion and sawn in half in
Britain in 74 AD. Thomas was martyred, thrust through by a spear in
India. John the Beloved died naturally after writing the Book of
Revelation. Judas Iscariot hanged himself.
I mentioned only eleven disciples who were martyred.
The Foxe Book of Martyrs has the names of many more followers of Christ who
have died for their faith from 33 AD till today. In heaven, we will meet a vast
crowd that is too great to count from every nation, tribe, people, and
language, standing before the throne and the lamb clothed in white robes.
Several of them were martyred for the word of God, and
others died during the great tribulation. Rev: 6:9, 7:9-14. They all had one
thing in common they died willingly for what they had seen, heard, believed,
and touched. How would we respond when we are persecuted?
III.
Christian Response to Persecution.
If the world hated and persecuted Jesus and his
followers, don’t be naïve to think we will have lesser treatment than they had.
I earnestly pray that I will not dishonor my savior by being a coward when I
face Persecution for my faith. I found these following responses will equip and
prepare every Christian to be ready to face when Persecution comes their way.
First, let’s face it
Persecution is inevitable and more imminent than we care to think. Jesus said,
“And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who
endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22. Secondly, don’t
worry about how you might face Persecution and what you might say to your
persecutors. The Holy Spirit will help us with what to say when the time comes
and gives us the needed strength amid Persecution.
Third, remember you are
not alone, but many of our brothers and sisters are being persecuted worldwide
for the gospel’s sake. The apostle Peter who was crucified upside down, has
this to say when we go through Persecution. I Peter 4:12-13, “Dear friends, don’t
be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange
were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners
with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy
of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
Fourth, As Christ prayed
for his persecutors, we will pray for our persecutors. When we love our enemies
and pray for those who persecute us, we act like true children of our Father in
heaven. (Matt 5:43-45). Hear the words of our crucified and risen savior. “God
blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is
theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about
you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be
happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And
remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” Matt 5:10-12.
