Persecution

SHOULD CHRISTIANS SEEK PERSECUTION?

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

Some people think that, absent external pressures, the Church grows soft and lethargic, that it needs such forces to remain focused and committed, and, therefore, that believers should welcome persecution, even seek it. Should we seek persecution?

No. Quite the contrary, we should avoid it if possible, and Jesus counsels as much.

Matt 10:17 Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you....

Matt 24:20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now...

Yet, he and Paul also recognize that avoiding persecution may not be possible.

Matt 24:9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

2 Tim 3:12 ...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

If persecution is unavoidable, there is a proper response.

Matt 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.... 44b pray for those who persecute you.

Cf. Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Matt 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

2 Cor 12:10a ...for Christ's sake, I delight...in persecutions....

Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

1 Pet 4:13a But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.... 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.... 19 ...those who suffer according to God's will should...continue to do good.

Rev 2:3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.... 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.... you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death....

Moreover, we may need to endure it willingly,

1 Cor 4:12c when we are persecuted, we endure it.

2 Tim 2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.... 10 ...I endure everything for the sake of the elect....

We may even benefit from it.

Matt 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rom 8:17b ...we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Nevertheless, Christians should not seek persecution. The remedy for spiritual laxity is not to rely on external forces but to develop greater internal fortitude.

For a pdf see here.