What Jesus Said About Pursuing Peace And Planning For Persecution
Matthew 5:9-13 "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
This is part of one of the most widely known passages in the Bible. Yet, it is clear that it’s real scriptural teaching is also one of the least understood. A failure to apply basic rules of Bible analysis and practical interpretation has resulted in broad misconceptions and misunderstandings of what our Saviour is teaching. From this misinterpretation and misapplication has arisen such teaching as the works for salvation heresy, the social gospel perversion and the ecumenical movement.
It is critical to understand: Who is speaking.? Who is he instructing? What is the basic subject of the lesson? What is the occasion or what prompted the giving of the teaching at this time? The answer to all these questions seem quite obvious.
Jesus is speaking first of all to the twelve and in a wider sense to all who would be His disciples then and now. Since all those who are true disciples should strive to become active members and participants in an assembly of scripturally immersed true believers; committed to following and implementing all the teachings of our Saviour, He is obviously speaking to all in every age who will be obedient to that pattern. He is clearly preparing these for service in the immediate sense. They are soon to be sent out as sheep into a world of wolves to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. He also speaks to future followers to prepare them for service in their day and time as well.
We have already laid a foundation for the consideration of how to be happy as a Christian in this world of woe. Let us go on and consider additional principles presented by our Saviour on the subject in His Sermon on the Mount.
JESUS SAID WE SHOULD PURSUE PEACE. "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." It is clear that our Saviour is a bringer of peace as well as a giver of peace. The angel’s announced this truth when they heralded the coming of the King to the lowly shepherds on a hillside. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14) Jesus made this amply clear Himself when He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
Some might say, "If this is the case, why did He also say, ‘Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword’” (Matt. 10:34) In order to understand what some might view as an apparent contradiction, in His teachings, His peace needs to be defined.
We would begin by stating the simple fact that man is by nature at war with God and His purposes upon this earth. James told us as much. ". . .know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4) The world as described here as being comprised of unregenerate men. Logic then dictates that man’s most basic spiritual, psychological and emotional need is to find peace with his Maker.
Paul made it clear that the great Peacemaker came to achieve just this. " ..now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];" (Eph. 2:13-14) Of course, for such peace to ensue, one of the combatants must unconditionally surrender. The sinner who is warring against God and His will and way must come to the foot of the cross. He must run up the flag of absolute and total surrender. He must throw in the towel of self-will. He must abandons his fortress of sin. Only then can he find real, lasting and permanent peace with God. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Ro. 5:1) Then and only then can he have a foundation for the future peace that is beyond man’s understanding. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.." (Phil. 4:7)
If it is true that Christ came not only to bring peace to a warring world, but also desires His followers to live at peace with Him, with themselves and with the world around them, why does He speak of bringing war and conflict between the disciple and those he loves the most? The answer is clear in the context of His teaching on the matter. He is speaking of the opposition that may naturally arise from those lost family members who fail to understand the new nature and spiritual changes that have afflicted their loved one. They feel threatened and will often vehemently oppose the standards, values and life-style choices of those who have become new creatures in Christ Jesus. In such circumstance, it is neither Christ nor His follower who are the agents of war and conflict. It is those in the world who, as sinners, naturally wage war upon God. Their rejection and hatred often extends to His Son and finds its expression against those who would live righteously in the world. Paul recognized this underlying principle when he said" "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (II Tim, 3:12)
If conflict and persecution are inevitable for the true follower of Jesus, just how is he to find peace in his life? How can he then become an influence for peace in his world? Just how can he counter all the hate of this world with the love of Jesus Christ?
The first and most obvious answer is again found in the Biblical definition of peace. Man first needs peace with God. The follower of Jesus is called to be a fisher of men He is called as a witness to the love of God as expressed by the cross of Christ. He has been posted to the world as a living love letter. He has been commissioned and credentialed as an ambassador of the peace of Jesus Christ.
Paul gives us one of the most meaningful statements on our calling as peace makers between men and God when he said: "And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God." (II Cor. 5:18-20)
Real and lasting peace among men will not be achieved by any economic, social, religious or political institution or means. The organizations of man such as the League of Nations, World Council of Churches and the United Nations, have again and again proven abysmal failures in achieving their noble but futile dreams. I am afraid that ultimately the efforts of NATO and the Coalition of the Willing to resolve age old conflicts and bring a semblance of peace to the world will, at the very best, prove to be just as ineffective. It is clear that what little progress toward peace that can be made upon this sinful earth must flow from the followers of Jesus as they are changed by the power of the Peace Maker and then allow His love and peace to flow through them to the world around them.
If Jesus is our peace and can also become the peace of those we bring to reconciliation with Him, just how is it so? He tells us on the night before His crucifixion: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) He speaks of a peace that may prevail in the midst of the constant conflict that surrounds us every day.
When we are saved it seems we are automatically enrolled in the school of hard knocks. If we persevere, we may then matriculate into the college of crisis. Those who achieve honors in these two institutes may then go on to do graduate work in the university of adversity. Is it possible for those who have been called to such a world to know peace in the storms of this life? The following speaks to that possibility:
"An artist commissioned to present the concept of peace, painted a terrifying scene of a storm-lashed cliff side overlooking a raging sea. Dark and lowering clouds hung low and filled the sky. Lightning zigzagged and illuminated the landscape. Why would the artist entitle this violent and turbulent scene, "Peace"? In a crevice of a rock projecting from the cliff, sheltered by an overhanging boulder, a mother bird sat calmly upon her nest. Protruding from beneath her sheltering wings were the heads of her obviously contented small fledglings. Though the storm raged around them, the were at peace in the shelter of her love and protection. The psalmist spoke for us all when he said: " . . . O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities be overpast." (Psalm 57:1)
Let us go one step further in examining the happiness that is available to the peacemaker. There is a clear implication that our role should entail more than bringing men to Christ. The children of God should also be identified as those who actively pursue peace by their personal participation in bringing peace between man and man. Those who strive to reconcile man to man when conflict arises, as it surely will.
This would obviously have its first and most challenging application in the place we spend the greatest amount of time. The place shared by the most significant others in our life. Our Saviour spoke of the inherent inevitable conflicts that arise in the home and the family. Happy are those who are peacemakers at home. Those who respond with a soft answer. Those who seek to turn the other cheek. Those who seek to express a Christ-like love by seeking to serve and meet the needs of others in the home. Blessed are they!
The happiness and blessedness available to those who would be peacemakers among the brethren should be mentioned as well. We are told in the Proverbs that God hates anyone who sows discord among the brethren. Of course, this has its present day application in the local church. God may have mercy upon the troublemakers in a church, but He abundantly blesses the peacemakers. It is significant that they are called the children of God. We assume even the world would recognize their birthright. Jesus made this clear when He said: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
The real peacemaker will extend his effort to the world in which he lives and works. In this world of violence and conflict at every level of our existence, it is important we do our best to be at peace with our neighbors. In a world of road rage, it is vital that we go down the highway of life with a calmness and peace that speaks of our relationship to the peacemaker. Paul summed it up when in his review of the principles of the beatitudes he said" "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (Ro. 12:18)
JESUS SAID WE MUST EXPECT PERSECUTION. " Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"
Job in the oldest book of the Bible tells us that man is born for trouble, just as surely as sparks fly upwards. He should surely experientially know the truth of his statement. It is not only the story of Job in the Old Testament that makes it clear that persecution and suffering has always been the lot of God’s people. The one constant in the lives of the patriarchs and prophets was their persecution that resulted from their proclamation of the Word of God. We can all agree their life experiences were clearly given to prepare us for the inevitability of adversity in the life of the follower of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Acts indicates that suffering for the cause of Christ was the normal Christian life in the first century as well. The true church history of the Lord’s faithful people in the ages that followed can only be correctly characterized as a continuing trail of blood and tears. We who find ourselves the inheritors of their faith should also realize that our age seems the exception rather than the rule of church history.
I would call your attention to some printed material on our table in the back of you wish to have more detail. You will find there an article called, "Persecution In History," by J. Stephen Lang. You will also find four modern day stories of Christians who are being persecuted today. These are not isolated cases. Reliable sources estimate that more than 150,000 believers are killed worldwide each year for merely being Christians and the number is increasing. This does not include the hundreds of thousands who are persecuted, tortured and jailed for their faith.
We can be sure that Satan, who is the god of this world, is perpetually manipulating its principalities, powers and people to hinder the purpose and people of God. Who knows when he may succeed in plunging the world once more into a repetition of the repressions and inquisitions of the dark ages?
In any case, we should also remember that the words of our Saviour have their application to our day and time. Paul’s previously cited statement on the matter is just as true today as well. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (II Tim, 3:12) Could it be that if we are not facing any persecution, a question mark might be placed upon the character and conduct of our lives?
Although we enjoy the blessings of religious liberty to a degree that would perhaps seem incomprehensible to our forefathers in the faith, we still face the fact that the Christian life is sometimes a life of suffering and adversity. From the first Jesus warned that life wasn’t meant to be easy for His followers. The call to take up a cross and walk in the footsteps of a crucified Christ, certainly confirms the concept that we are not to daily dwell in the confines of a tranquil rose garden.
But what is the reason for all this? Why does God allow adversity into our lives at all? Why does tragedy often occur in the midst of apparent great spiritual success and prosperity? Why does the topography of Christian living seem to continually undulate? Why does the Christian life at times seem like a scary spiritual roller coaster ride? Why does the adversary sometimes seem to get a toe hold in churches and even use God’s people to work his will of woe in the world?
Adversity can be our greatest motivation for spiritual struggle and growth or our deadliest source of doubt, difficulty and discouragement. Adversity can serve to focus us on God and His will and way for our life. Jesus indicated that His stiffest competition for our time, attention and affection are the cares of this world. The din of daily duties can deafen us to the voice of God as He seeks to speak to us through His Word and Spirit.
Our personal plans, projects and programs surely sometimes try God’s patience as he tries to get our attention. So God intervenes and adversity comes. We’re faced with problems and pressures too great for our frail flesh to solve. Our human strength is drained and we cry out to Him from the very depths of our despair for His divine help. We focus again on His goodness and greatness. In the midst of the shambles of the defeat of our personal ambitions, we can again establish the parameters of Godly plans and priorities, to make them parallel with His Word and the leadership of His Spirit.
But in order be assured of happiness in our lives we need to constantly examine ourselves to insure any persecution and suffering that comes our way does not have its genesis in our own sin and disobedience. We should make sure that we are not reaping the whirlwind because we have sown to the wind. Peter made the proposition perfect clear. (See I Pet. 4:12-16)
There seems to be a subtle change in language here that is significant. Jesus has been using the pronoun, "they.": He now uses "ye.." He seems to turn and specifically address those who are seated at his feet. A number of scholars feel He is now speaking directly to the apostles as well as all who will fulfill a similar role in the future. His reference to the persecution of the prophets in the Old Testament would seem to confirm this. In other words, His words of warning as well as encouragement seem to be particularly addressed to the pastors and spiritual leaders of the future as well.
After making it perfectly clear that opposition, persecution and suffering will be the general lot of God’ people in every age, Jesus indicates that faithful servants and ministers of the Word may expect a special portion to be placed upon them. In every age those who are faithfully committed to their calling have been particularly persecuted and assaulted. In His reference to the prophets he is perhaps calling our attention to the specifics. The masses murmured against Moses again and again and even his own sister joined them. Samuel was rejected by commoner and King alike. Elijah was despised. He was harassed and hounded by King, Queen, false prophets and the large majority of the people. Micaiah the good prophet was hated and assailed for his talent of telling the truth of God.
The roll call of the faithful in the Hebrew letter lists a liturgy of those who paid the price of being true prophets of the Word.. The general description of the persecution of the righteous leaders of God gives pause for us to consider the gravity of real service to God "And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:.." (Heb. 11:36-39)
JESUS SAID PERSECUTION IS PART OF GOD’S PLAN FOR HIS PEOPLE. It is normal to ask just why would God permit the wicked one and the wicked of the world to persecute His people? If our Saviour said that persecution is part and parcel of His plan for His prophets and people in every age, there must be some positive and powerful reasons why it is so. There must be some divine plan and purpose it in all. There seems to be at least four primary reasons that are clear in the scriptures.
ONE PURPOSE OF PERSECUTION IS TO IDENTIFY HIS PEOPLE WITH HIS SON. Jesus told His disciples, "As the Father has sent me, so send I you." Jesus entry into and presence in the world was marked by violent opposition. Herod tried to kill Him at birth. Satan did his best to oppose him in the desert. (Matt. 4) The people tried to kill Him after His first sermon in the synagogue. (Luke 4:) He was violently killed at an early age on the cross. The religionist and their leaders, who had opposed Him every step of the way, ultimately succeeded in their crusade.
Jesus said we are to follow His path. Instead of being cuddled in a cradle of comfort, we are also called also to the crisis of a cross. We are to take up our cross daily in order to be identified with Him and His sufferings. Jesus made this clear when He simply said, "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;.." (John 15:20)
It is clear Paul was speaking of this identification when he made such statements as, "For me to live is Christ.." and "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless it is not I that live, but Christ who liveth within me..." When Paul gives his long liturgy of sufferings and persecutions in his Second Corinthian letter, he does not complain but joyfully confirms that he is walking the way of the cross of Christ. He clearly considered it a privilege to share not only the glory of being united to Christ, but His Saviour’s sorrows and sufferings as well.
One African pastor who had suffered the horror of see 11 people killed and 55 wounded in an attack upon his people had this to say, "God does not remove Christians from the world of trouble and suffering the moment we put our faith in Christ. Scripture teaches us that part of God’s discipling process in our lives is to leave us in this fallen world to cope with the opposition and danger so that our faith will be tested and we may learn to be holy."
ANOTHER PURPOSE OF PERSECUTION MAY BE TO SEPARATE THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF. Jesus said He sent out the twelve and then the seventy as lambs among ravenous wolves. Peter called His people "peculiar people." His people are called to come out and be separate from the world. Our committed response to this calling insures the world will hate us. The majority who are plunging down the broadway and rushing at the wide gate will reject and despise the Biblically absolute values, standards and life-style of those steadfastly treading the upward narrow way and striving toward the narrow gate. Our world and its systems, princes, principalities and powers, are under the ultimate control of Satan and his minions. This world system is by its very nature opposed to God and the people of God. Those who go contrary to those on the dark side, will automatically feel the fierce fire and fury of those powers of darkness.
My recent letter published in the Gold Coast Bulletin speaks of this cultural war and of the fact that even those who call themselves Christians can inadvertently become the change agents of Satan. I can speak personally of the wrath of the majority party that is often directed against those who wish to swim upstream and buck the tide of secular humanism and relativism that is sweeping our world today. It is likely that this opposition will increase until not only will Bible-believing Christians be scoffed at and ridiculed in the media, but the freedom to publicly express opposition to the position of the secular, pluralistic, relativistic majority may soon be lost. In such conditions, it is easy to see that God’s people will be compelled to take a stand and separate themselves from the world and its ways.
A FURTHER PURPOSE OF PERSECUTION COULD BE TO GIVE GOD GLORY THROUGH A GOD-HONORING RESPONSE TO HARDSHIP. It has been said of the darkest days of church history that as the blood of martyrs watered the earth the gospel gloriously prospered. It would seem that the sacrifice of each martyr was often used by God to bring many to Christ. The story of Stephan and his persecutor, Saul, would surely be the grand beginning of this continuing glorious saga. We will not know this side of eternity how many have been eternally blessed by the beautiful and bold sacrifice brave Stephan made for His Saviour. It would seem that his fruit was just the first of the overwhelming spiritual harvest that was gathered from the seeds that were sown and cultivated by the brave martyrs who laid down their lives in the cities and arenas of the far flung Roman Empire.
One African Christian leader was once asked why Africans have responded so positively to Christianity, even though Europeans exploited them during the Colonial era. He responded, "We have seen the graves of the missionaries, and their wives and children." He was clearing speaking of the missionaries and their wives who had lived sacrificial lives for the Lord in difficult circumstance in order to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who had not heard it. Some even paying the ultimate price as martyrs for Christ.
One of the most moving experiences of my life was the opportunity to meet and hear Brother Richard Wumbrand, the founder of the Voice of the Martyrs. This heroic Romanian pastor wrote widely of his torture and experiences in the communist prisons of his country. His body still bore the terrible scars of his ordeal. My wife and I were among a dozen of so pastors and their wives who were ministered to by Brother Wumbrand and his wife. It was a privilege to have close personal fellowship with them for three days in a small Baptist Church in Sydney. One of the lasting impressions we both have of those days was that these two who had suffered so much for the testimony of their Saviour, clearly felt that their long days, nights and years of suffering, were the most glorious and blessed days of their life.
