Protection from Persecution
Western medicine offers a pill for just about everything. In fact, it’s almost impossible to name a malady for which there’s not a pill, or several. Anything to not feel…. something. Christians often see prayer as a ‘pill’ that covers all maladies. So it would seem appropriate that prayer would excuse one from persecution, right?
Besides, who wants to endure hatred, name-calling, rocks thrown through windows, car scratched, being beaten up, life threatened. Perhaps someone with a strong death-wish might go for this, but not a normal healthy person. Well, maybe a missionary…..
So, what do we do with two of Christ’s statements? Let’s start with,
“In this world, you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:33)
Sounds like a recipe for being either a religious zealot, or someone everyone loves to hate. Why would Christ say that kind of thing!? What did he want?
And his second statement is worse!
“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” (Mt. 5:11-12)
Dear Mom: Another day here on the mission field. Fun! I got beat up – 37 stitches. Praise God! I just love pain. Really?
To make sense of Christ’s statements, one need only remember who the enemy is, his purposes, and his style. Have you ever seen anyone who hates someone else so deeply, that they’re willing to do anything to destroy them? That’s Satan.
Thereafter, the question changes to, “Do I have a purpose worth fighting for, and am I willing to stand tall when this jerk comes at me?” He will, you know. His gig is to “steal, kill and destroy.” His identity is, “The Adversary,” AKA “The Deceiver,” AKA “The Accuser.” His existence means that anyone who campaigns for the wrong party MUST be persecuted.
Persecutors win when their adversaries are too intimidated to resist. Those Christians who think prayer will deliver them from persecution, are like an army of naked unarmed warriors. They are no threat to the enemy. But those who are armed with God’s Word and unabashedly following God’s calling, are going to get hammered. This isn’t a fake battle. Persecution is real. People get hurt; some die.
The Old Testament dude, Job was a case in point. The Enemy took pleasure in trying to turn Job against God. He failed. The battle cost Job his wealth, marriage, kids, and health. The good news is that God way-way overcomes. In the final chapter of Job, his wealth, health, and family are restored.
Do you see ‘following Jesus’ as guaranteed protection from difficulty, pain, and persecution, or are you ready for one heck-uv-a battle? Is your ‘faith’ just a wimpy theological term, or is it a life commitment leading to conflict, ending in eternal reward?
John S serves on the staff of GlobalGrace