Being committed in persecution is not easy. But with the Lord’s help, we can stand strong beyond what we think is possible. In 2004, I visited Russia, where I met Pastor Alexander outside of Moscow. Earlier in his life, he had been imprisoned for handing out Christian tracts. The Lord refined his faith through this difficult time, making him a stronger, more vibrant believer and pastor.
Ephesians 6:10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.[1] You may be in a situation where you are being persecuted for what you believe. The Lord wants to encourage you to stay strong and depend on Him and His mighty power.
Experiencing Joy During Persecution
Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica to encourage them as they stood for Jesus and faced persecution for their faith.1 Thessalonians 1:6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.[2] Jesus tells us that blessings come to those persecuted for their faith. Matthew 5:10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. [3]
The Lord also tells us there will be opposition as we live out our Christian faith, so we are not surprised when this occurs. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.[4] As believers in Jesus, we are blessed, but our enemy, satan hates us because we are children of God and shine His light in a dark world.
People Notice Your Light
As believers in Jesus, we don’t always realize our impact on others, including those who don’t know the Lord. When someone shows mercy and love for those who mistreat them, some people may wonder what is different about them. Jesus’ death on the cross had such an impact that the Roman Centurion in charge of the crucifixion realized he was not an ordinary man. Mark 15:39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” [5]
When we turn the other cheek, people watch and realize that is not normal behavior. Yes, the world may hate us as believers. But the Lord will give us the strength, peace, and encouragement to be His ambassadors in the world, even in the face of persecution.
To learn more about being committed in persecution, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/live-with-commitment
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.