Disciples and Persecutors

When we react to hostility with hostility and anger, Satan wins. The reality of persecution raises questions. How should we respond when attacked by the State, the culture, society, or even our family and friends? Is resorting to anger or retaliation appropriate, or should we emulate examples from the life of Jesus? In his teachings, he warned us to expect “tribulation,” and he summoned us to follow his path (“If they persecuted me, so they will persecute you”).

As his disciples, we must follow his example by “taking up the cross.” It is a “blessing” and not a curse to suffer for him, although this is contrary to the “wisdom of this world.” When wronged, justly or unjustly, we must remember that “the merciful are blessed, and they will obtain mercy… pray for those who despitefully use you” - (Matthew 5:7, 16:24, Luke 6:28).

[Photo by Ray Shrewsberry on Unsplash]

We are called to “rejoice and be glad” when persecuted for him since “great is our reward in heaven.” Following Jesus causes opposition, thus we should not be alarmed when persecution comes. However, minds dominated by sin and the ideologies of this world see suffering as a curse, evidence that we have displeased God.

Only the eye of faith perceives that persecution produces everlasting rewards. Furthermore, Christ’s teachings about suffering and persecution are echoed in the Apostolic writings.

The Assembly in Thessalonica, for example, received the Gospel in “much tribulation,” yet its members welcomed the message despite hostility. In this way, they became “imitators” of Paul and Jesus. Instead of anger or dismay, they accepted the way of discipleship characterized by suffering. They became “imitators” of the earlier saints “in Judea…who suffered the same things by their fellow countrymen” - (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8, 2:14-16).

After being compelled to leave Thessalonica, Paul sent Timothy to assess the situation. He wanted no one to “shrink back in these tribulations since you know that we are appointed for this… we are destined for tribulation.”

Paul expressed similar sentiments to Timothy. He pointed to his sufferings as a pattern for other believers to imitate since “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” - (2 Timothy 3:10-12).

Final rewards are received in the “age to come.” Suffering in the present is unpleasant, but it “is a slight momentary affliction preparing us for an everlasting weight of glory beyond all comparison” - (2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 22:12).

Suffering “unjustly” is evidence we belong to God. “When you do right and suffer for it patiently, you have God's approval.” Enduring rejection is part of following the Lord who “also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow.” God has graced us to suffer for His Kingdom - (Philippians 1:28-29, 1 Peter 2:19-20).

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

We instinctively respond in kind to personal and corporate attacks. Society sees self-defense as a necessary and morally praiseworthy reaction to threats and assaults, and retaliation is fundamental to many political ideologies.

Nevertheless, Jesus prohibited us from retaliating. He gave us no exceptions to this teaching or his example. Revenge may be the “way the world works,” but as his disciples, we are called to something radically different.

When we are persecuted, we are to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.” By showing them mercy, we emulate God and become “perfect” or “complete” like Him. He makes His rain fall on the just and the unjust. Who are we to treat others differently? - (Matthew 5:44-48).

Likewise, Paul taught us to “bless those who persecute you! Bless, and do not curse!” We must “render no one evil for evil.” God’s justice is not blind, but we must “not avenge” ourselves and leave justice to the God who will “repay” if, how, and when He sees fit. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he thirsts, give him something to drink… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”- (Romans 12:14-21).

Peter pointed to Christ’s death as the paradigm for how we must respond to hostility if we truly are his disciples, for “this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you leaving an example” - (1 Peter 2:19-23).

We respond to evil with evil when we view opponents as “enemies”. But we must recall what we once were. No one is born a disciple of Jesus. We are all converts.  Previously, we were “enemies” of God, and we were only reconciled to Him “by the death of his Son.” He died for us “while we were yet sinners” - (Romans 5:6-10).

Through His Son, God is reconciling fallen men and women to Himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Since we have received mercy, who better to show mercy to our persecutors? If God “so loved the world” that He sacrificed Jesus to redeem fallen humanity, should we not we not have empathy, at least, for our “enemies” if not love?

We must not respond with rage, civil disobedience, hatred, or violence to persecution, and certainly not attempt to “overcome evil with evil.” Instead, we overcome evil with mercy, forgiveness, and love for our enemies. Jesus called us to pick up the cross, not the gun. When we react to hostility with rage and violence, Satan triumphs.

How we react to hostility and persecution demonstrates exactly whose disciple we are, and whose kingdom we serve.

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SEE ALSO:

• Suffering and Discipleship - (To follow Jesus requires the willingness to suffer for his sake, and enduring persecution is the highest honor imaginable in his Kingdom)

• Cost of Discipleship - (To be the disciple of Jesus means taking up the cross and following in his footsteps, even if it results in impoverishment or death - Mark 6:7-30)

• The Forgiveness of Sins - (Jesus healed a paralytic, and by doing so, he demonstrated the authority of the Son of Man to forgive sins and discharge their due penalties – Mark 2:1-12)