What Every Christian Needs To Know About Persecution!

WHAT EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT PERSECUTION!​

By Bibleman​

“Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.†2 Tim. 3:12

WHO IS THE ENEMY?​

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.†Eph. 6:12
As Christian believers we must realize that our real enemy is the devil and his army of demons who work through unregenerated people. The devil and his people are at war with Christians. It is a spiritual battle for the souls of men. Because the devil hates God he attacks the people of God. The devil causes his people to hate Christians because they are offended by their walk. Those who target and dishonor, defame, ridicule, revile, mock, reproach, blaspheme, disrespect, cheat, oppress, conspire against, betray, offend, threaten, curse, torture, hold in contempt and kill are people who belong to the kingdom of the devil. The people who persecute Christians are not just the spiritually blind or those who practice evil deeds but could also include false brethren and lukewarm Christians. Many who hold high positions of authority Ps. 119:161 conspire against believers and cause many to be imprisoned and killed. Beware, for there are many in the devil’s kingdom who seek our ruin and our destruction (1 Pet. 5:8)! The Roman Church hated Bible believing Christians so much that they murdered millions of them during the inquisitions and stole their property, much like Hitler did to the Jewish people. The Bible tells us that our enemies can even be well-intentioned church members who believe they are doing God a service to excommunicate us from their corrupt churches and have us imprisoned and put to death all because they have no personal relationship with God or Christ (Jn. 16:1,2). During the last days even our closest relatives will hate us and betray us into the hands of those who want us dead (Lk. 21:16). Christians will be the most hated and despised group of people on earth in the latter days (Mt. 24:9).

WHY DO THEY HATE US?​

“I have given them thy word; and the world hateth them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.†Jn. 17:14
Jesus warned us that those who love this world will hate those who are not of this world (Jn. 15:18, 17:14). Christians are often targeted as enemies by the wicked because they depart from evil (Isa. 59:15; Jer. 11:19) and because they uphold the truth (Ps. 119) and live uprightly (Job 12:4; Prov. 29:10,27). A Christians walk and ways offends those who hate us and they envy the Christian because of God’s favor in his life (2 Tim. 3:2,3; 1 Jn. 3:12). Christians are hated by those who are greedy for gain because they do not practice dishonesty like they do (Jer. 11:19). The self-seeking, materialistic, unholy, pleasure-minded, people of the world despise those that are good (2 Tim. 3:2,3). Christians are encouraged to turn away from such people even though they claim to be religious. Those who do evil hate Christ and His people because they are the light of this world and they do not want to reprove their deeds (Jn. 3:20). The ungodly hate Christians because they have no eternal life abiding in them and because they do not know Christian love (1 Jn. 3:13-15). Christians must accept the fact that they will be hated by the world and rejoice in the fact that they are worthy to suffer with Christ. Those who persecute Christians are driven by the devil to do what they do (Jn. 13:2).

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!​

“Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.†(Lk. 6:27,28)
Jesus told us to bless those that hate us and pray for them. We are not to treat them as though they were an enemy. We are not to treat them the way they treat us but as we would like to be treated (Lk. 6:31; Rom. 12:17). We should never try to cheat them in any business dealings we have with them. We are to bless them and not curse them nor avenge ourselves of any wrongs they have done to us, for this is God’s job (Rom. 12:19). Christians are also forbidden to resist or retaliate for their law suits, condemnations, harassment, abuse, physical attacks and other wrongs (Mt. 5:39,40; Lk. 6:29; Jam. 5:6). We are to always be kind to our enemies and show them genuine Christian love by helping them in any way we can (Rom. 12:10,20). We are to forgive those who abuse us instead of judging, condemning or retaliating against them (Lk. 6:37; Rom. 12:17). We must never allow ourselves to be overcome by evil but find ways to overcome their evil deeds towards us by doing something good for them (Rom. 12:17-21). Christians should always seek to live peaceably with all men good or bad (Rom. 12:18,21). No matter what they do to us we are to forgive them, pray for them, bless them, help them and be good to them (Mt. 5:44; Lk. 6:27,28; 1 Cor. 4:12). We are to not seek or expect any reimbursement for all the things we give, lend and do for them (Mt. 5:42; Lk. 6:30).

OUR ATTITUDE IN TRIALS​

During our times of persecution the Bible tells us to not to think of it as a strange thing, be offended by it or complain about what is happening to us (Ps. 119:161-165; 1 Pet. 4:12). Continue to be a bold and confident witness despite the circumstances (Phil. 1:14).
Don’t be afraid, discouraged, troubled or ashamed to suffer for Christ but rather glorify God because you were fortunate enough to be counted worthy to suffer persecution for his sake (1 Cor. 4;8-12; 2 Tim. 1:8,12; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:16; Heb. 12:3; 13:13; Rev. 2:10). Instead of being ashamed or offended by persecution we should rejoice and be happy to have the opportunity to suffer for Christ (Jn. 16:1,2; Acts 5:41). If you do, God’s favor will shine into your life and the spirit of glory and of God will rest upon you (1 Pet. 4:13-16)! Praise and magnify God during your suffering and humbly entreat Him for help and guidance (Ps. 70:1-4; 124:8; 140:1,2). Like Moses, we should choose to suffer afflictions with Christ and His people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin in a corrupt world (Heb. 11:25). Do not try to resist when you are arrested or condemned to death (Jam. 5:6). It is important that you practice Christian love, be patient, and be faithful to God as you endure your times of persecution (Mk. 13:13; Lk. 21:19; 1 Cor. 13:3; 2 Cor. 6:4; 2 Thes. 1:4; Heb. 10:32; Rev. 2:3, 10-13). When you suffer or face various trials, mockings, betrayal, distress, reproach, abuse, imprisonment, and martyrdom, according to His will, remember to put everything in His hands for He is a faithful Creator who cares for you (1 Pet. 4:19)! Christian suffering is actually a cleansing and sanctifying act that purifies the saints and helps them to completely overcome the devil (Rev. 7:13,14; 12:11; 20:4).

REMEMBER THESE THINGS​

The fact is that all true Christians will suffer persecution because they are not of this world. If you are well liked and admired by the world then something is wrong with your walk (Lk. 6:26). While we should try to avoid those who hate us we must remember that it is appointed unto some of us to die for Christ (Mt. 10:23; 1 Cor. 4:9). Some of you may not realize how blessed you are to suffer for the cross of Christ and to bear the marks of Christ in your own bodies (2 Cor. 6:4-10; Gal. 6:12; Phil. 1:29). Be like the apostle Paul and learn how to take pleasure in all your trials and reproaches and let the glorious life of Christ be made manifest you (Mk. 13:13; 2 Cor. 12:10; Gal. 6:12; Jam. 5:6). Obey God no matter what the cost and stay true to your God-given convictions and purpose (Acts 4:19,20; 5:29). Christ will stand with you to deliver you from your troubles and strengthen you so you can complete your work (2 Tim. 4:17). The rewards are great for those who endure to the end. The reproach of Christ is greater riches than any earthly treasure (Heb. 11:26). The greatest heavenly rewards are reserved for those who die for Christ (Heb. 10:34; 11:35). God will avenge us of all wrongs done to us and give us the crown of life and a heavenly inheritance where our rewards will be great (Mt. 5:10; 23:34-39; Mk. 8:35; Lk. 6:22,23; Rev. 2:10; 6:9-11)!!!