I was on a call with a brother from South Asia. He said to me, “We have physical persecution in our country, but you have spiritual persecution of another kind.” I thought that was insightful and thought-provoking. Do we really have persecution in America, or is the full scale of that yet to come? Our brothers and sisters in South Asia experience death and torture for their faith. I think I have received a rude comment or a disinterested person at the park while sharing the gospel. To be honest, it’s hard for me to speak on this passage when I think of the word “persecution.”
Jesus promised us that we would endure persecution. It can come from the enemy, the world, fellow believers, and those opposed to Christ. As we are sent into the world carrying mercy, purity, and peace, the world will hate us as it hated Jesus.
Blessed are the Persecuted
“‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” –Matthew 5:10
As you preach the gospel and the world hates you and all of Hell pursues you, this is the greatest evidence that you belong to God! It’s not persecution because you have lived for your own life and your own agenda but because your singlehearted devotion has overflowed into a bold proclamation of the gospel.
“‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.’” –John 15:18–21
The Lord Cares for the Persecuted
“‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.’” –Matthew 5:11
Do you notice the pronoun shifted from “those” to “you”? It’s becoming deeply personal. It always is when a saint is persecuted because of Jesus. This is serious to the Lord when you endure suffering and persecution. Remember how Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God upon his stoning (Acts 7:56)? If He tends and cares for the lilies of the valley, can you not imagine how much more the Lord cares about your suffering and persecution? Trust He will tend to your wounds in all matters concerning you.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” –1 Peter 4:12–16, emphasis added
I was asked to give a message to Christians in South Asia regarding persecution. I felt so inadequate for the task. I couldn’t even relate to their sufferings. What could I possibly say to parallel their pain and move them toward faith? Our cushy life in America looks so different from Christians all over the world. However, I want to put something on the table for us. What are we doing with all that has been entrusted to us? Are we living for eternity? Are we living so that God can get His resources to us and through us? If He asks us for radical obedience, will we say, “Yes”? The same charge I gave those South Asian believers, I give to us today: Let’s advance boldly for the sake of Christ in the world and not retreat. When we retreat, the enemy gains ground. This is the moment in history God has assigned to you. And His assignment may cost you something small or great. But He is worth the cost, and His plans for you are greater than you can imagine. Don’t let another year pass without it being marked by radical obedience—your deepest gift of worship and surrender!
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Women who are equipped to live boldly for the gospel are a key to unlocking movements of the gospel in the world’s spiritually darkest places. Through Arise, East-West helps women take action and follow the Holy Spirit to be bold and reach the lost. Understand your role in the Great Commission and be equipped to boldly bring the world an encounter with Jesus.
