Persecution?

At a recent leadership team retreat, we talked about the possibility that some SG churches might face persecution in the not-too-distant future.  I shared some thoughts in that context that Mark asked me to share in an article for this website.  So here you go.

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When Christians think about persecution, we tend to think of being beaten, jailed, or even killed for our faith.  And rightly so.  That is where the NT emphasis falls.  And it is in these ways that the church historically has most often experienced persecution.  And still today, there are places throughout the world where Christians face these consequences for practicing their faith.  Groups like Voice of the Martyrs do an outstanding job of reporting on and giving prayer focus to this type of persecution.  To read the stories of persecution and believers’ response is both heartbreaking and inspiring.  As Hebrews says in 11:38, they are those “of whom the world was not worthy.” May we regularly pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.

When considering any persecution SG churches in America and throughout the world will face in 2021 and following, I don’t think it’s going to be persecution as we classically think of it – beatings, imprisonment, and death – though someday that may come.  I think the persecution we will face is being shamed and slandered because of historic Christian beliefs and values. The hostility created in these ways then leads to material harm – being silenced, marginalized, “canceled,” and perhaps even punished in some way.

In both the Psalms and the NT, a lot of the persecution against God’s people is verbal. In the Psalms, we see that the wicked lie, deceive and stir up strife.  They slander and accuse.  They mock, taunt, revile, deride and scorn.  The harmful effect of their words is likened to swords, razors, howling dogs, and a serpent’s venom.  The NT speaks of believers being reviled, insulted, slandered, spoken of as evildoers, and hated for Jesus’ name.  In the beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

We are increasingly seeing these sorts of verbal assaults and subsequent material harm happening. The examples are too numerous to mention.  The cultural influencers -  universities, the media, the government, and social media platforms - are increasingly taking stands antithetical to Biblical values and truth.  Proponents of the influential critical theory put those who hold to certain traditional  Biblical values into the oppressor class.  And voicing biblical truth in these contexts is often characterized as hate speech that must be silenced or punished.  On top of all this, social media gives a voice to anyone and everyone hostile to our values.  A voice described so well by one Wall Street Journal writer as “lethal, instantaneous, polarizing, cartooning, inflammatory and ubiquitous.”

Our stances on complementarianism, marriage, sexual ethics,  gender identity issues, and abortion go against the flow of our culture.  Even regarding race issues that are at the forefront of our times, our historical stances on loving your neighbor, equality before God, the sin of prejudice, and the requirements for justice are seen as lacking if they don’t measure up to the culture’s assessment of the root, extent, and solution to the problem.  Even evangelism can be seen as illegitimate and intolerant.  How dare one say that there is only one way to be saved.  Only one way to God.  How dare one challenge someone’s inalienable right to define their own truth and morals!!!

Sadly, this situation is exacerbated by the fact that the church itself - both nominal and genuine – isn’t united on these issues.  When the culture can point to Christian churches that waiver and compromise on these critical issues, they can use such actions to justify their criticisms of more traditional Christians and churches.  We even find that some, under the banner of Christianity, are persecuting Christians who they see as out of line with their, from my perspective, radicalized worldview.

None of this should surprise us since Jesus clearly told us “if they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”  Likewise, Paul told Timothy that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  So what are we to do?  Thankfully scripture gives us answers.

1. We are to pray

Psalm 142:6  Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!  Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.

Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

1 Timothy 2:1-2  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  

I think we can legitimately include the culture shapers in our universities and media as well as the government as “all who are in high positions.”

2. We are not to respond in kind

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stand up for our rights as citizens.  It’s more the character of our response than the substance that is being addressed here.

Romans 12:14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

1 Corinthians 4:12  When reviled, we bless; when persecuted we endure.

1 Peter 3:9  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

3. We are to witness in a certain way.

It is wise to separate the trajectory of the larger culture from the individuals affected by that culture.  Though many individuals are actively hostile to the faith, many have simply been influenced in ways that make them leery, suspicious, and prone to think ill of those who are Christians.  It is to people like these that scripture directs our attention and instructs us how to approach them with the gospel.  Let’s look at four passages in particular.

Philippians 2:14-15  Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation among whom you shine as lights (NIV – shine like stars) in the world.

Colossians 4:5-6  Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

1 Peter 2:12    Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

The lessons here are these:  when faced with the hostility and opposition of the world, the Christian’s godly behavior will open up opportunities to engage people with the gospel.  And when those opportunities come, our graciousness, gentleness, and respectfulness, often in contrast to their harshness, may well be used by the Holy Spirit to open up their hearts to the gospel and win them to Jesus.  And when that happens, we can thank God that He has once again turned what was meant for evil into good.