Responding to Persecutors

The reality of persecution raises questions. How should we react to opposition, especially when by governments? Is it ever appropriate to respond with anger, civil disobedience, and loud public protests, or are followers of Jesus called to emulate his example as he was persecuted by the religious leaders of Judaism?

Jesus warned that all men who follow him will have “tribulation,” and he summoned his disciples to follow the same path that he did. The “servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me so they will persecute you” - (John 15:20, 16:33).

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Each disciple must conform to his example by “taking up the cross,” and crucifixion was a violent and shameful form of death. Refusing to do so renders one unworthy of Jesus. It is a “blessing” to suffer for him, although this is counterintuitive and contrary to the “wisdom of this world.” His disciple is to “rejoice and be glad” whenever persecuted for his sake since “great is his reward in heaven” - (Matthew 16:24).

To follow the slain Lamb wherever he goes produces opposition. The sin-dominated mind sees suffering for the Gospel as a curse. Only the eye of faith perceives the everlasting rewards in the “age to come” - (Matthew 5:12).

In Thessalonica, the Assembly received the Gospel in “much tribulation,” yet its members welcomed Paul’s message all the same, and thus they became “imitators” of him. Instead of anger or dismay, they accepted this way of discipleship. In this way, they became “examples” for other congregations - (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8, 2:14-16).

Paul wanted no one to “shrink back in these tribulations. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this… We are destined to suffer tribulation.” Thus, persecution results from following Jesus.

Paul expressed similar sentiments to Timothy, including “what manner of persecutions” he endured.  He pointed to his sufferings as a pattern for disciples to imitate - for “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” - (2 Timothy 3:10-12).

THE BIBLICAL hope is forward-looking. Final rewards and everlasting life are received in the “age to come.” Suffering in the present is unpleasant, but it “is a slight momentary affliction preparing us for an everlasting weight of glory beyond all comparison” - (2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 22:12).

To suffer “unjustly” is a sign of Divine approval, evidence that one is a genuine follower of Jesus. “When you do right and suffer for it patiently, you have God's approval.” We are to emulate the who “also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow” - (1 Peter 2:19-20).

We must not “be frightened in anything by our opponents.” Hostility is “clear evidence” of their destruction but also of “our salvation.” God has graced us to suffer for His kingdom - (Philippians 1:28-29).

THE DISCIPLE’S RESPONSE

However, we instinctively respond in kind to personal and corporate attacks. Human society sees self-defense and retaliation as necessary and even morally justified reactions to threats. Nevertheless, Jesus prohibited us from retaliating. Revenge may be the “way the world works,” but his disciples are called to something vastly different.

When we are persecuted, we are to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.” By showing mercy to our enemies, we emulate God and become “perfect” like Him. Likewise, Paul exhorted disciples to “bless them that persecute, bless and do not curse.”  They must not “render no one evil for evil.” We are called to leave justice in the hands of the God who will “repay” how and when He sees fit - (Matthew 5:44-48, Romans 12:14-21).

The Apostle Peter also taught believers to “endure patiently” unjust suffering. Doing so demonstrates our “approval by God,” which, logically, means our unwillingness to endure persecution and our determination to avenge ourselves shows His disapproval.

Peter points to Jesus and his death as the ultimate example of how we are to respond to hostility – for to “this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you leaving you an example” - (1 Peter 2:19-23).

Our desire to respond to evil with evil stems from our tendency to view persecutors and accusers as “enemies”. But we must recall what we once were. No one is born a disciple. Previously, we were “enemies” of God and were only reconciled to Him “by the death of his Son” – He died for us “while we were yet sinners” - (Romans 5:6-10).

The true “enemies” of Christ are not “blood and flesh, but the principalities, the authorities, the world-holders of this darkness.” Human agents unwittingly carry out acts of aggression on behalf of their demonic overlords. On the Cross, Jesus did not overthrow the political enemies of Israel or Rome but instead triumphed over these “principalities and powers.”

God is reconciling fallen men to Himself and has bequeathed the ministry of reconciliation to the disciples of His Son. Since we have received mercy, who better to show mercy to our persecutors?

We are called to emulate Jesus.  When unjustly condemned, he refused to respond with anger and threats, either to the Jewish authorities who betrayed him or the representative of Rome who executed him. When he was dying, he prayed for His Father to forgive the men who condemned him to death and nailed him to the Cross.

When persecution occurs, we must not respond with anger and hostility, especially, not with violence.  One cannot “overcome evil with evil.” When we react to hostility with rage and violence, Satan triumphs, and we demonstrate just whose disciple we are.

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RELATED POSTS:

• Mercy and Enemies - (When we react to hostility with hostility, whether by government, society, or individuals, Satan triumphs)

• Superabounding Righteousness - (Mercy and love are defining characteristics of his disciples and reflect the true nature of his Father – Matthew 5:43-48)

• Leap for Joy - (When disciples are persecuted for their faith, they should rejoice for being accounted worthy to suffer for Jesus and his Kingdom)