Question 1

Why do Christians seem to be the target of so much persecution?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 22:16-17, 28The king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?” Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’” . . . But Micaiah replied, “If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!” Then he added to those standing around, “Everyone mark my words!”Jeremiah 20:1-2Now Pashhur son of Immer, . . . heard what Jeremiah was prophesying. So he arrested Jeremiah the prophet and had him whipped and put in stocks.John 15:21“They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”Sometimes believers are persecuted simply for speaking the truth in a context where truth challenges the current belief or power systems. Those who don’t believe in God, or don’t believe God has established absolute truths and communicated them through the Bible, obviously don’t recognize truth. To them, truth sounds rigid, intolerant, and threatening to their own positions. Others recognize the truth but don’t want to live by it. In either case, those who don’t live by the truths of the Bible will resist and attack those who do.Matthew 15:9“Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.”Acts 7:54The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.Galatians 5:11If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.The bold message that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus threatens those who believe that their own good works are enough to get to heaven. When the gospel of Jesus contradicts the human-centered teachings of naturalism, folk religions, and scientism, the perceived threats can result in violent and destructive responses.Acts 17:7Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.Because Christians give their ultimate allegiance to God, they have sometimes been accused of treason when their government orders them to do something that violates God’s commands. Respectful and cooperative citizenry is expected of believers, but not at the cost of faithfulness to God.

Question 2

Where can I find hope when I am persecuted?

Accepted Answer

Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.Philippians 1:29You have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.2 Timothy 3:12Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.1 Peter 4:13These trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.If you are being persecuted for your faith, be encouraged by the fact that many other faithful believers are also standing strong in the face of persecution. Lack of any pushback from the world or from evil forces ought to make you wonder if you are in fact living for God. The Bible encourages you to see persecution for Jesus’ sake as an honor. It is evidence of the depth of your commitment to Jesus and therefore a privilege to suffer for the God you love so much. It also helps you identify with the depth of suffering Jesus went through for you.Matthew 5:11“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”Jesus promises special blessings to those who are persecuted, though not necessarily in this life.Psalm 110:1The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”Revelation 12:10-11Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”God will defeat his enemies. Jesus will eventually be triumphant as King of kings and Lord of lords. You may be persecuted now, but your side will be victorious in the end, and your persecution will not be in vain.

Question 3

How should I respond when I am persecuted for my faith?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 69:1-36Save me, O God, . . . Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head.Prayer is a powerful response in times of persecution. Pray to God, the only one who can give you the strength you need to endure. Note that the psalmist did not try to edit or clean up his prayer but freely voiced his anxiety, anger, desire for revenge, and longing to see the tables turned to God. Once he had expressed both his human and godly perspectives, he was in a better place to accept God’s will and plan.Acts 14:19-20They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town.Paul’s courageous response to persecution enabled him to encourage others. Courage to endure persecution is contagious.Matthew 5:11“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”Matthew 10:21-25“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!”Philippians 1:27-30You have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.1 Peter 4:13These trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.The Bible encourages us to see the rewards of persecution, which helps us keep going when times get especially tough. Chief among these is the recognition that if the Son of God was persecuted, his followers should expect no less.Matthew 5:44“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Luke 6:27-36“To you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you.”Romans 12:14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.A supernatural love, one that flows from God, allows believers to actually pray for those who persecute them. Persistent kindness is hard to ignore. It may be through your godly response to persecution that God touches a hard heart and turns it to him.2 Thessalonians 1:5God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.Be aware that God will use persecution to build your character and faith and to confront the world with his character.Matthew 27:12When the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.Revelation 14:12This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.Remain obedient to God and endure persecution patiently, just as Jesus did when he was persecuted.Revelation 21:4“He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”The knowledge that all suffering will be replaced by the joys of eternal life enables believers to endure.

Question 4

Why is it so important to endure persecution rather than give in to it?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 16:3The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!Hebrews 11:39-40All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.James 5:11We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.God’s heroes are those who hang on to their faith in him no matter what happens. The Bible is full of examples of people who never stopped trusting God even though they were mocked, persecuted, and killed for their faith. God may not ask you to be a martyr for him, but is your faith strong enough to endure even a little derision or scorn? Those who live boldly for God despite opposition will make the greatest impact for eternity.Romans 5:3-4We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.2 Corinthians 12:10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.James 1:2-5When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.Sometimes we suffer because of events outside our control and our faith is tested. During the hard times, our character is stretched and we are actively learning and growing. Whatever form persecution may take, we can know that God has not allowed it to bring about our defeat but our development into a citizen of his Kingdom.

Question 5

If God has a plan for my life, what is the purpose of persecution?

Accepted Answer

2 Thessalonians 1:5God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.Persecution defines our character and our commitment to Jesus Christ. Any injustice we face will eventually be rectified by God’s justice. We grow as we learn to respond to persecution in a godly way.