THE BIBLE AND PERSECUTION

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND PERSECUTION

Devotional Text: 2 Tim. 3:10-15

INTRODUCTION:

By way if definition, persecution is any ill or inhuman treatment to a person or group, especially because of their political or religious beliefs. According to the BBC English Dictionary, “if someone persecutes you, they treat you cruelly and unfairly over a long period of time”. In the words of the Apostle Paul, godliness attracts persecution from the world of sin and unrighteousness, this he says... “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in CHRIST JESUS will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). In this connection, our BLESSED LORD confers the beatitude of blessing on those who suffer persecution, when HE said, “blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, (Matt. 5:10)

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Persecution is a must for those who desire to live godly life in CHRIST JESUS, (2 Tim. 3:12)

(2)       Persecution helps spread the Good News about our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST,

 for the purpose of winning souls for HIM, (Acts 11:19-21)

(3)       Persecution is part of the hundredfold blessing which the LORD promises in HIS WORD, (Mark. 10:28-30)

(4)       Persecution can bring about the expulsion of the Gospel Minister(s) out of a community or region, (Acts 13:49-51)

PERSECUTION AND THE PERSECUTOR

The Holy Scripture which says, “bless those who persecute you, bless, and do not curse” (Rom. 12:14) clearly gives the stance of the LORD, for the believer, on those who persecute them, as it rules out any form of imprecatory prayer or insulting outbursts against the persecutor. Rather, it says the cruel activities of the persecutor should stir joy and not malice in the life of the believer, in keeping with the WORDS of our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, which says, 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” ... (Matt. 5:11-12). The aforestated shows that persecution is a blessing in disguise, and the believer should not think otherwise, since there must be the trial of our faith, which offers GOD’s crown of life to those who would emerge victorious, (James 1:12). Based on what is said above, this lesson biblically states that the believer should:

(i)                    Pray for, as well as bless those who persecute them, instead of cursing them, (Rom. 12:14)

(ii)                  Rejoice and be glad when those who persecute them hurl insults at them, instead of becoming sorrowful, (Matt. 5:11-12)

(iii)                 Understand that those persecuting them are blindly blessing them, and making their reward great in heaven, and so, require mercy and not curse, (vs. 11-12)

PERSECUTION AND THE PERSECUTED

The persecuted are those who are at the receiving end of persecution. They are those who the persecutor pierces his sword of cruelty and unfairness into their lives, bringing bitterness and anguish to their spirits, souls and bodies, just because of godliness. To this end, the Apostle Peter says, “If you are insulted because of the NAME of CHRIST, you are blessed, for the SPIRIT of glory and of GOD rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise GOD that you bear the name, (1 Peter 4:14-16). Therefore, the believer should make up his mind to face the fact of persecution, since GOD’s WORD says that ... “everyone who want to live a godly life in CHRIST JESUS will be persecuted”, (1 Tim 3:12), and so, as a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST, he should be prepared to endure every hardship which comes as a result of persecution, (2 Tim. 2:3). By this, also, this lesson states that the believer should:

(i)                    Endure persecution and not to quit the faith because of it, since the LORD will always rescue those who

 are persecuted, (2 Tim. 3:10-11)

(ii)                   Know that no persecution is capable of separating the true believer from the love of CHRIST, (Rom. 8:35-39)

(iii)                 Understand that one who quit the faith because of persecution demonstrates the fact that one is not a true believer, (vs. 35-39)

PERSECUTION AND THE HUNDREDFOLD BLESSING

The statement of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, which renders that, “no one who has left home or brother or sister or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times, as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields- and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Matt. 10:28-30) indicates that persecution could be a means to an end, in terms of how GOD blesses HIS people. This implies that a persecution which pulls believers out of certain homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields, could be GOD’s hidden instrument to take them to places of HIS Work and better fortunes. For testimonies abound which show that most Christians in positions of affluence in today’s’ world, were products of acute persecutions that forcefully ejected them out of their humble homes and possessions to their present places of prominence, and proves that the WORD of the LORD is sure and certain. In this connection, therefore, the believer is encouraged to:

(i)                    See beyond the pains of persecution, since GOD’s WORD says it comes with a hundredfold blessing, (vs. 28-30)

(ii)                  Come to terms with the biblical truth that when persecution results in members of one’s household rejecting and ejecting one, the LORD definitely provides replacement at the new destination, (vs. 28-30)

(iii)                 Be steadfast in his faith, irrespective of the cruelty of persecution, since ... “in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM” ...(Rom. 8:28)

In conclusion, please recall that “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” ... (Matt. 5:11-12). LET THIS BE YOUR POINT OF FOCUS!