SUFFERING PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST

G. Bibu



INTRODUCTION:


If we were to announce from an average pulpit that the subject of our discourse is upon "suffering persecution" for Christ, it would cause many to wonder if there is not a better alternative to speak upon. Alas that a subject which for centuries past has been an encouragement and exhortation to the church of Christ, should thus be despised. There is in our day, a learned omission of the most vital aspects of the Gospel, by the very ones who claim to be the emissaries of Christ. That it has been so in the present instance is evident from an examination of the modern evangelical sermons and writings. Nor is this greatly to be wondered at, for any one who has eyes to see and ears to hear can clearly perceive that the modern Christendom knows nothing about persecution experimentally. Of what need then is a doctrinal exposition thereon, when it has thus become irrelevant to their common experience? Yet it is the deficiency of this very thing which testifies against our modern Christendom, that it is not the same undefiled, uncompromised, and God-honouring Christianity of the Bible which runs its course. What else could we conclude when we discover, that it lacks any practical acquaintance with the experiences of those recorded in the Scriptures who had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: and who were stoned, who were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: who wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) who wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth [Hebrews 11:36-38].

There are only two possibilities which can explain the absence of persecution from the world against the church. Either the world has been reconciled to Christ so that it is no longer the enemy of His people, or the church has become a friend of the world in enmity against Christ. There is no reason to suppose that a world which craves after more and more of defamation against Christ in the form of the "Gospel of Judas", the "Davinci Code", and any possible degradation of the character of Christ, has by any means been made His friend. This behooves us to introspect if we have gone awhoring from our Lord, in an adulterous union with this world, for it is to the church that the Spirit of God says: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" [James 4:4]. May God add His blessing to this meditation that He may move us thereby to an introspection as in His holy presence.

DEFINITION:

Having briefly stated the purpose and end of our discourse, we shall now proceed to expound upon the theme itself. It is necessary to first define persecution in the Christian context, in which we repetitively would employe it throughout this discussion. Persecution is the expression of the world's hatred against Christ, which is caused to reflect upon Christians for belonging to Him. Such an expression of hatred is some times violent, and some times not so violent, some times fierce, and some times milder. But whatever be the nature and degree of its manifestation, the world has always and still does seek to express its hatred against genuine Christianity, purely because its adherents belong to Christ. Any suffering to which a Christian is subjected on account of His personal wrong doings cannot be brought under the scope of this persecution, but only that hatred which he experiences on account of Christ and His Gospel [1 Peter 2:19-24]. Therefore is it written: "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf"

[1 Peter 4:16]. Hence no form of persecution other than "suffering as a Christian" can be brought under the scope of this discussion.

SOME MAJOR ASPECTS:

Let us now turn to meditate upon four major aspects which we seek to call attention in connection with this grand and many-sided theme:

1. PERSECUTION IS INSEPARABLE FROM A GENUINE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE:

Jesus said: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" [Matthew 5:10-12]. We are taught in this passage that persecution is inseparable from a genuine Christian experience. This we may understand from the text itself, from the context of this text, and a few allied passages to this text. And not only is it thus inferred doctrinally, but is attested by the experiences of the saints gone-by before us, Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. Ponder well upon each of these, as we seek to briefly focus thereon.

A. THE TEXTUAL CONFIRMATION:

In Matthew 5:11, we are pronounced blessed "when" persecuted by men but not "if" persecuted by men. Thus the fact of persecution in a Christian's life is not a mere possibility, but an indispensable reality.

B. THE CONTEXTUAL INFERENCE:

The passage above cited forms part of that grand section in Scripture, which we call the "Beatitudes". The Beatitudes do not merely consist in listing out most supreme benedictions upon God's people, but also in listing out a few most solemn qualities and experiences, without conforming to which no man can enter in to the kingdom of God. In other words, every true Christian must and will have a character which corresponds to all the qualities here prescribed or mentioned. He is poor in the Spirit, [Matthew 5:3] because he realizes his complete and absolute inability to purchase God's salvation. He sees his utter bankruptcy, the not having the wherewithal to oblige God's favor upon Him, and he cries out in deep despair, "Woe is me for I am undone". He would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smite upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner [Luke 18:13]. Such a realization as this leads him to mourn before God [Matthew 5:4], and it is this Godly sorrow which leads him to repentance unto salvation [2 Corinthians 7:10], for a broken and a contrite spirit the Lord will not despise [Psalms 51:17]. Being thus made recipient of the glorious salvation in Christ, the believer now begins to exhibit the same qualities as that of the author of his salvation, and therefore becomes meek in demeanor [Matthew 5:5] (having learnt of Him who is meek and lowly [Matthew 11:29]); hungers and thirsts after righteousness [Matthew 5:6] (that he may walk in it for Christ's name sake [Psalms 23:3]); merciful in disposition [Matthew 5:7] (having himself obtained mercy) and pure in heart [Matthew 5:8] (that he may conform to the image of Christ [Hebrews 7:26]). Further he partakes in that solemn ministry of Christ by preaching the Gospel, and thereby becomes a peace-maker [Matthew 5:9] between God and man. Any one who lacks these qualities and experiences cannot be reckoned among a true Christian. Since persecution is enlisted along with these indispensable qualities and is the next in the list [Matthew 5:10-12], the same inference as drawn in respect of all other experiences listed above, that is of being indispensable for genuine Christianity, becomes irresistible, also in respect of persecution, and would be in perfect harmony with the context. Just as the Christian partakes in the character of Christ, and in His ministry as seen above, so must he also share in Christ's afflictions, and in all the bitterness He suffered on account of the world's hatred against Him. Thus persecution is inseparable from a genuine Christian experience, and its absence is a sure sign of danger.

C. CONCURRENCE OF ALLIED PASSAGES TO THIS TEXT:

There are many other verses in the Bible which concur with the above passage in confirming that persecution is inseparable from Genuine Christian experience. Two or three instances may be cited here.
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also"
[John 15:20].

"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" [Acts 14:22].

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" [2 Timothy 3:12].

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" [Philippians 1:29].

The above instances are plain and self-explanatory in proving that persecution is the lot of every Christian, and multitudes who take upon their lips the name of Christ are utter strangers to this experience, for they have failed to take upon themselves His yoke.


D. ATTESTED BY THE EXPERIENCES OF THE SAINTS GONE BEFORE US:

As a further proof of the inevitability of persecution Jesus alludes to the experiences of the saints of the past when He says: "For so persecuted they the prophets before you" [Matthew 5:12]. Practically, there is not A man of God in the Old testament Scriptures who was exempted from the hatred of God's enemies. Some of them they killed and crucified,; and some of them they scourged in their synagogues, and persecuted them from city to city [Matthew 23:34], but none of them did they well receive. So said Jesus would be the experience of His disciples, and so was it indeed when we consider the biographies of all the known saints of the past centuries, according to the word of the Lord. All the apostles except John received the crown of martyrdom, and John also was banished to the Isle of Patmos for the Word of God, and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Only read the account of persecutions as furnished by John Foxe in his famous book of martyrs, and it will be seen that every Christian right from the primitive church age, down through the dark ages, even unto the reformation of the medieval period, was relentlessly persecuted, first by the Pagan Rome, then by the Papal Rome, employing the most cruel and crude forms of tortures and atrocities as was never seen or heard in all the world before. Men had their skins flayed off from their bodies, the women were ravished and killed, their children were mercilessly subjected to the sword, their infants were drowned in the water, and the women with children had their wombs ripped open by the sword, just to mention a few such atrocities. In certain instances, they were wounded and left to bleed and die, as their enemies sported upon the groans and sighs of these poor victims. In each instance, they gave the Christian an opportunity to escape the torture at the cost of renouncing Christ, but they endured till the end, sealed their faith with their blood, suffered cheerfully for Him that died for them, and took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing that they had a better substance laid up for them in heaven. There are others who have experienced persecution in milder forms such as being rejected and scorned by their own kinsfolk, betrayed by their friends, degraded and insulted by their foes, deprived of their rights, evil spoken of falsely, despised and hated by all men for His name's sake. But whatever was the nature and extent of persecution, they all partook of that cup from which their savior drank, atleast in some measure. But alas that it is far otherwise in our day. The love of many has grown cold, and religion is a mere show of piety, a matter of carnal speculation, and a cloak for covering their wickedness. Those who call themselves of the household of faith have played the harlot against the master of the house, in flirting with the pleasures of sin for a season. The conspicuous absence of persecution from the world against the modern Christendom, is a sure proof of this great falling away. This brings us to our next aspect of our discussion.


2.ABSENCE OF PERSECUTION IS AN INDICATION OF CORRUPT CHRISTIAN LIFE:

Christianity as we know today is actually a bed of roses, however vehemently the Christians may speak to the contrary. Christians have a very good standing in the world today, and are not hated even by the avowed enemies of Christ. Of old a searching question was asked: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" [Amos 3:3]. Evidently then, the church and the world have found common terms to agree upon. However, as we have stated before, the world has by no means become less evil to abjure its hatred against Christ and His people. Instead, it has become increasingly corrupt than ever before, even as it is written: "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" [2 Timothy 3:13]. How then shall we interpret this strange alliance between the world and the Christians. We have no better words than that of our master's in explaining this novel development in the church. Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own" [John 15:19]. Do we need any other word or testimony to explain the case? We have already cited John 15:20, in which the Lord expressly says that a servant is not greater than His master, and that if they receive the masters words, only then would they also receive that of His servants. We know that the masters words were hated by this world, because they testify against the world that its deeds are evil. But the modern Christians are well received by the same world which hated Christ which justifies our application of that inspired indictment against them: "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them" [1 John 4:5]. Not only are the Christians well received, but they are well spoken of. All who claim to be Christians and find themselves to be thus positioned in the world will do a lot good to themselves in pondering upon the words of our Lord: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets" [Luke 6:16]. They receive honor one of another, and have discarded the honor which comes from God. To all such Christ will yet say, "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" [Luke 16:15]. Just as friendship with the world is enmity against God, so friendship with God is enmity against the world, even as the psalmist declares: "Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies" [Psalms 139:21-22]. Not until a man is thus zealous for the Lord can he be called a true Christian, and any thing other than true Christianity is well received in the world. Reader, how is it with you?

Thus we have proved sufficiently from the Scriptures, that absence of persecution is an indication of a corrupt Christian life.

3.PERSECUTION IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF FAITHFULNESS TO CHRIST AND TO HIS GOSPEL:

In all that we have endeavoured to prove in the foregone arguments, we do not intend to suggest that Christians are among those who enrage quarrels and ask for fights. Far from it, for their master is love incarnate, and He commands them to walk even as He walked. Christians are commanded to follow peace with all men. Therefore, that which attracts the hatred of the world does not consist in a Christian's harsh and unloving approach. It is the very life giving Gospel which the Christian carries in his word and conduct, that so occasions the hatred of the world. There is a great degree of offense inherent in the Gospel. Perversion consists in attempting to remove this offense. It is by this means that our moderns have achieved such a palatable position in the world. But only let the Christian proclaim the Gospel faithfully, and he will discover his foes at once. Let the Christian purge himself of the modern "health, wealth, and prosperity Gospel" and preach the uncorrupted Word of Truth, duly expounding upon the cost of discipleship, and denouncing the sins of the world, urging the world as lovingly and peaceably as he may, to turn from its sins, and to take-up the cross daily and to follow after Christ, and see if he will not attract the hatred of the world.

4. PERSECUTION IS THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP:

Cost of discipleship is any thing that a person would potentially suffer the loss of, as a consequence of becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself said that a man should first sit down and count the cost to see if he is prepared to pay it [Luke 14:25-33]. One sure loss you will suffer is that you will forfeit your good standing in the world. And this enmity would not arise from an unknown quarter. A Christian's first enemies will be the members of his own house. Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" [Matthew 10:34-36].

The next set of his enemies would be the religious world, yea the very ones who call themselves Christians. Jesus said: "If the world hateth you, know that it hated me first". "What "world" hated Christ and hounded Him to death? The religious world, those who pretended to be most zealous for God's glory. So it is now. Let the Christian turn his back upon a Christ—dishonoring Christendom, and his fiercest foes and most relentless and unscrupulous enemies will be those who claim to be Christians themselves" (A.W.Pink).

The secular world also would find nothing palatable in a Christian, because he not only refuses to conform to its fashions, but constantly bears witness against its evil deeds. In other words, any one who intends to become the disciple of Christ must first sit down and ascertain to himself whether he is prepared to experimentally bear the cost namely that "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" [Matthew 10:22].

May the Lord enable the writer as well as the reader to introspect as in the presence of God, by the few thoughts expressed here, and to see whether we are His disciples in truth.