I
came across this moving video about Christian persecution around the world:
The
organization which produced this video, Under
Caesar’s Sword, was researching how Christians around the world respond to
persecution. That’s a worthy subject of
study. You can read the results of their
valuable research here.
In
this post I share my thoughts about another important type of response to
persecution. How does God respond to persecution? This topic is closely related to the topic of
how Christians respond to persecution. I
view my thoughts here as complementing those in the Under Caeser’s Sword report.
In
considering this topic my primary resource is God’s Word, where God Himself
reveals His response to persecution. My
thoughts are also shaped by the incredible privilege the Lord gave me and my
family to live in Indonesia for fourteen years, from 1996 to 2010. Many Christians were killed for their faith
on the island we lived on. We personally
knew Christians who were beaten for their faith by their own families. Nearly every Indonesian Christian we knew had
a family member or close friend who had witnessed violent persecution against
Christians. We listened to many stories
and spent many hours in prayer with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As a result, I was constantly thinking and
praying about issues related to persecution. I also was frequently discussing
these issues with others, both locally, and through a worldwide network of
Christians serving in similar circumstances.
And, perhaps most relevant to this blog post, I was constantly alert to
the vast amount of material in God’s Word which addresses persecution.
Based
on all this, I have summarized below 7 of God’s responses to the persecution of
Christians.
1. Protection from evil
And pray that we may be delivered from
wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.
(2 Thessalonians 3:2 NIV)
In
answer to our cries for protection and because of His great love, God protects
His people from evil. He does this at two levels.
In
many ways and places, God works to allow His people to escape harm. Many times there were plots to kill the
Apostle Paul, and through various providences God allowed him to escape. Sometimes working through governments,
sometimes through other Christians, sometimes through other sympathetic
neighbors, and occasionally through angels, God protects His people. And yet, we know that on many other occasions
He allows His people to experience persecution, sometimes even unto death.
At
a deeper level, God allows nothing to harm His children (Luke 10:19). The promise “nothing will harm you” refers to
God’s guarantee that in the end persecution will do no eternal harm to any of
His children. Even if we are killed we are totally safe in His loving arms.
2. Provision of strength and courage to
persevere
But the Lord is
faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)
God gives us the strength
and courage we need to face whatever persecution we experience. Sometimes, this comes in the form of a
miraculous feeling of peace and security in the midst of dangerous
situations. At other times, we feel fear
and trembling, yet underneath the fear we are anchored by a deeper and stronger
hope.
3. Use of persecution to increase gospel witness
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me
has actually served to advance the gospel.
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to
everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become
confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without
fear.
(Philippians 1:12-14 NIV)
One of the beautiful and
surprising ways that God uses the persecution of Christians is to spread the
gospel of Christ. Hearing about the
courage of persecuted believers gives all of us greater courage and motivation
to share God’s love and truth. And those
directly involved in carrying out the persecution have many times been moved to
accept the Lord.
4. Providing guidance to His people
Behold, I am
sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and
innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16
ESV)
Christians
serving God in a hostile and dangerous world must constantly make difficult
decisions. Do I flee or stay put? Is this an occasion to wait quietly and
patiently or to speak up boldly? Who do I trust with what information? God provides guidance. He gives us principles in His Word. He speaks to us through other believers. His Holy Spirit guides our thoughts. His holy providence directs our paths.
5. Dreams and other supernatural help
One day at about
three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who
came to him and said, "Cornelius!" (Acts 10:3 NIV)
I was blessed with the
opportunity to hear the stories of quite a few Muslims who had become followers
of Jesus. Many of these courageous
believers shared that at some point they had a dream which helped them to
accept Christ. I believe that God gives
extra help to people who are facing the greatest dangers and opposition. Some of this help comes in the form of
supernatural dreams and other miracles.
6. Future vengeance which promotes current
perseverance
God is just: He
will pay back trouble to those who trouble you (2 Thess. 1:6 NIV)
We are called to pray for
those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
We forgive. We seek their
salvation. Knowing that God will
eventually settle all scores, paying back those who never repent and never find
forgiveness in Christ, frees us from worrying about revenge ourselves.
7. Focusing His people on His promises for
future glory
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all
kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matt. 5:11-12 NIV)
A close friend of mine who
also was blessed to serve among persecuted Christians shared with me a dream he
once had. I may not get the details
perfectly right, but I remember the gist of his dream. He was in a crowded room full of people in
Heaven. All of a sudden they all
shouted, “It sure was worth it -- following Jesus!”
The suffering we
experience is being used to prepare us for glory. Sometimes in our weak moments we may wonder
if it is worth it. But ten thousand
years from now no Christian who has suffered for Christ and the gospel will
doubt for a single second that it was worth it.
We will be rewarded and God will be glorified.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .
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