John. F. Kennedy once stated: “Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather, it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” 2 Timothy 3:12 states: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." I was extremely saddened and shocked recently to learn of the death of George Perry Floyd Jr; an African American man, as a direct result of violence administered by the police in Minneapolis. This act and the subsequent aftermath, portrayed and highlighted racial persecution towards black people. His supposed crime? Allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill. Can such a horrific action be justified in God's eyes? No, of course not. Matthew 5:10-12 states: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
God gave us life in this world with the intent of living in harmony and unity with others. Our planet is made up of many cultures and races, each with their own lives to lead. Discord between ethnic groups is not God's will. We should love and respect one another. No race should consider themselves superior to others, we are all God's children and while differences of opinion will always exist, they should never jeopardise peace or resort to violence in any degree. Romans 12:16-21 emphasises: "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Judgment and persecution have existed, probably since time began. People often make bad or improper judgments against others with sometimes devastating results. The bible contains many stories and illustrations of those who suffered at the hands of judiciaries as a result of their faith or indeed, many other factors in life. The stories of Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Joseph and even Jesus, Himself, to name but a few are quoted with acclaim and in much detail. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” I wonder how many of us have ever uttered the words from the proverb: "There for the grace of God go I.?" Which in laymen's language means that whatever happens to someone else can equally happen to us also, unless we have saving intervention from God. 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, states: "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am..."
Persecution abounds everywhere and individual firms are no exception. There is a true story of a middle-aged man who was working for a medium-sized company in the heart of the city. He was considered an extremely conscientious and effective worker who had served several years in a particular specialised department.
He had much to offer the company from his previous experiences and was considered an asset by many. He had been promoted twice since his initial appointment and was now in a junior executive position. An essential reorganisation of the company was deemed necessary by senior management to remove a persistent problem, which frequently caused a dramatic loss of consistency, as members of staff were continually moved between departments to cover others and it was felt it would be more prudent to make this particular department a permanent appointment in the hope of eradicating the prevailing situation. As it was an attractive and sought after department, commensurate with a higher salary because of its specialist nature and responsibilities, it was agreed with the trade union representatives that to be fair to all members of staff employed by the company that each individual should reapply for their current post for consideration to the new position. It was also agreed that existing members of this department would take priority on being selected over members of other departments unless there was a notable cause for concern. The manager of this particular department was secretly having an affair with a young junior female member of staff located in another department, unbeknown to his loyal wife. He considered that this would be a golden opportunity for him to work with this female on a closer basis, but realised that because of the limited allocated numbers, he would have to lose one member of staff already serving to enable this to happen.
Applications were submitted by each member of staff for their particular post. He identified and selected the middle-aged man as the ideal target for substitution as he considered him the weakest and most vulnerable in the workforce. The problem that the manager had, as he had no real grounds to state a specific concern, was to find an acceptable reason for the union to justify his replacement within the team. After careful consideration, he had the brainwave of downgrading the allocated rank of this particular post, which meant that the man concerned was at a higher rank than was necessary. This would also save the company money. Another factor in his favour. By the close of the application deadline, the middle-aged man had the distinct impression that he had been singled out to make way for another more favoured employee and as a result, he would not be selected for permanent appointment to the same team. He voiced his concerns often to his colleagues but, in self-protection of their jobs, was told that he was becoming paranoid and nothing sinister was going on behind his back. When the results of the selection process were made known, he found to his dismay that his initial instinct had been correct and he had not been selected. He was informed that he would be moved to another department with a lower salary.
This was a clear case of persecution of an innocent individual on the desire of an acquisitive relationship. Unfortunately, it caused the man so much distress that he had a complete breakdown and after a long period of ill health, he had to retire from the company on medical grounds. 1 Peter 4:12-14 states: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
Amen.
