A Victor's Perspective

Most of you who read my blogs have been wrongly persecuted at some point in your lives. Is that fair to say? I think so. The question, then, is, “How do we respond to being treated unfairly?” I think this persists as one of the great challenges all believers face. As I’ve taught from my pulpit over the years, if you aren’t being persecuted, something may be wrong with your spiritual walk, for the Bible speaks dogmatically about such things.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Notice that Holy Scripture states clearly you “will be persecuted.” The Greek word used for this phrase is in the indicative mood, denoting an unavoidable fact. So, as I mentioned earlier, if you’ve never been persecuted, you need to do some soul-searching, starting with, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own” (John 15:19a) and, “whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4b). These are very serious considerations for every Christian proclaiming salvation in Christ Jesus. My fear is always that there are some living a lie…and I just want them to see the Light before it’s too late!

Holy Scripture establishes the fact that believers will be persecuted, no doubt. Understanding this basic reality is very helpful in the sense that we may find peace knowing that God has ordained such challenges in our lives.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
God has a purpose for all of His children. In the grand scheme of things, it runs contrary to the kingdom of darkness’ intentions for us. Anytime there’s real friction, there’s resultant heat, pressure, and even pain. So be it. This is God’s will. He uses such things to forge us into the image of His Son, who was perfectly forged through suffering of His own.

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.
With the right perspective on persecution and suffering, we are set free from bondage to doubt. Consequently, we learn to embrace our differences with the world, even though it inflicts pain on us. Shall we expect anything less? Aren’t such things merely affirmations of our faith? Indeed, they are.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”
I know by now I sound like a broken record, but perspective is everything! When it comes to suffering, the first question we humans tend to ask is, “Why?” Well, God has given us His answer, and it’s the only one that really counts. We will suffer for Christ’s name sake. ”For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29). Our God-given ability to persevere under pressure is living proof of the hope that abides in us, “through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
May we learn to rest on the security of His Word, especially in times of persecution. Let us cling to the freedom that perspective provides, for in truth we are indeed set free, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).

I wouldn’t say we go so far as grappling with our opposition, for we are commanded to, “leave room for the wrath of God” (Romans 12:19); however, shall we agree to find a certain contentment in “whatever circumstances” we find ourselves (Philippians 4:11)? The kingdom of darkness and its minions are tireless in their antagonism - we just need to accept their presence in our lives.

When we expect something to happen, we can make peace with it. This is what it means to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). While the world continues to conjure up ways to torment us, let us posture ourselves as Jesus does, as victors.

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins