Persecution and trouble
Dealing with people will always be a difficult challenge. God has given us the responsibility to become the bridge builders. Human nature causes us to look at each situation from a selfish perspective. We will always feel wronged if we are in the short end of any given problem. The advantage we have as Christians is that we can step back from our desire to have it our own way and look at a problem with an eternal perspective. We can ask ourselves how this fits into the big picture? We can look beyond the conflict and to the end result. Ecclesiastes 7 explains:
8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
How many times have we heard and ourselves said that the issue is not a big deal, it’s the principle of the matter? In truth we are fighting for pride, but calling it principle. However, the biblical approach goes against human nature. God tells us that patience is better than pride and holding onto anger makes us into fools. If we can look toward the end, we can see the meaninglessness of ‘fighting for the principle’. The hard part is removing ourselves emotionally and determining if we truly are standing on principles based on God’s word or if we are fighting for our own way. In this study, we will look at our responsibility and then we will look at enduring persecution and trouble.
Blessed are the peacemakers
At the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught the following in Matthew 5:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 " You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
It would be good to spend more time studying this passage, but for now I just want to point out a few things to take note of. There is a process of growth that is necessary to become a peacemaker and there are consequences for not doing so. Jesus taught that when we are born into God’s kingdom, it is through brokeness. Being crushed is not the same as being broken. A person can be emotionally crushed and still have a self-centered will that is in opposition to God. God resists the proud, but the humble finds grace. When we recognize that we are sinners, we realize our need for a savior. In John 12:25 Jesus said, “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” There is a difference between hating your life and hating yourself. When I see how worthless my ways are, only then can I open my eyes to God’s ways. Once I see my desperate need, then I am broken and will allow God to take control and heal my spirit. Look at Matthew 21
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: ’The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
44 "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."
The Pharisees raged at these harsh words, but there is a key truth in this passage we should not miss. Jesus is the stone everything else is built upon. When we fall upon Him we are broken. When we are broken, then we are willing to allow God to build us into what He desires us to be. The flip side belongs to those who reject Christ and those who are too stiffened by pride to be broken. Everyone will either fall upon Christ or will be put under Christ in defeat. For the believer, a broken spirit is the beginning of our spiritual walk. We are broken and realize that we are indeed poor in spirit. When we realize this, we surrender to Christ and inherit the kingdom of God.
Blessed are those who mourn tells us that there is mourning over our sins and the comfort of Christ’s forgiveness. There are other ways we mourn and He comforts us in all our distress. However, mourning over sin is part of spiritual growth. The meekness in this passage is the gentle spirit that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of those who follow God’s ways. When someone begins to grow, there is a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and we begin to establish ourselves in His word. Because we see that we are only righteous because He has made us righteous, we recognize that it is God’s mercy alone that has established us. When we see our need for mercy, we will show mercy to others. A hunger for God and obedience to Him by following His word will produce purity. Only then are we truly in a position to become peacemakers.
When someone is conforming to Christ, they will become peacemakers. When someone is clinging to their own will, they will not seek peace unless they can see that it is in their immediate best interest. Problems with people and persecution will be an area of confusion if we are not yet established in our spiritual walk. Instead of enduring and peacemaking, we will think that no one has the right to offend us or we will be disappointed in God for not shielding us.
Seeking Reconciliation
Read Hebrews 12
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
We are commanded to pursue peace. Pursuit is an action. To pursue is to chase hard after something. Our commission is to make every effort possible to have peace with Christians and non-Christians alike while at the same time pursuing holiness. Pursuing peace does not mean to compromise godly principles. We are not called to pursue peace at all cost, but to pursue peace with a heart in obedience to God. We never quit pursuing God in order to find peace. Peace with God is the only true peace. There will be times when peace with people is not possible. If condoning or participating in sin or ungodliness is a condition for peace, we cannot oblige and still remain in God’s will. In these situations making a godly stand and encouraging others to do the same with a humble spirit is our pursuit of peace.
The key to this passage is that we don’t allow our frustration to turn us into the aggressor. I have been in many churches where someone has wronged someone else and this became a license to begin attacking with a vengeance. People label others as enemies of God so that they can justify harming them. We forget that God loves His enemies and died for us while we were sinners and enemies of God. Contrary to our natural human reaction, God never gives us permission to attack people. Let me take a moment here and address the difference between attacking and confronting. We are commanded to confront someone in the church who is acting contrary to God. Look at 1 Timothy 5
20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
Clearly we are told to be confrontational when necessary. This passage is to be taken in light of the rest of scripture. Jesus gave the model for rebuke. We are to go to someone personally with a spirit of humility, and if necessary, we then confront with two or three witnesses who can confirm the sin. Only if this reconciliation is rejected do we have a right to bring it before the church. The goal is not to shame, but to restore. Galatians 6 clarifies this:
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Few churches apply these passages correctly. Some ignore them completely because it is uncomfortable to confront, while others go to the opposite extreme and jump at the opportunity to publicly shame someone. The Bible commands us to consider ourselves during the whole process. This is not an attitude of feeling above the sin and thinking that ‘we have never done this type of thing’, but rather an acknowledgement that I am just as capable or already guilty of doing the same kinds of things (whether in my heart or outward actions). God may have forgiven and restored me, but if I step out in pride and God does not sustain me, I am just as likely to fall as the person I am trying to restore.
An attack is the result of me taking offense and seeking retaliation. When I am angry and feel wronged, I do not have the right to rebuke. Until I am right with God, I can’t straighten someone else out. The vast majority of anger is the result of my embarrassment, disappointment or when my comfort zone or plans have been threatened. None of these are justifiable reasons for anger. There is a place for anger, but self-serving motives don’t qualify. When selfish anger sparks confrontation it is not of God. If I can’t yield to God, my anger is not constructive.
An attack differs from rebuke in that the goal of an attack is to payback the wrong, harm or destroy a person. The goal of godly rebuke is to restore, build up, and teach. When our emotions are involved it becomes difficult to distinguish between what God justifies and what we are trying to justify. Keep in mind that all of God’s laws center around two commandments – to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We should prayerfully consider the best approach to confront and insure that rebuke is God seeking and also looking out for the best interest of the person. If my self-interest is at the center, I am acting according to the flesh.
Even in rebuke, we are not the aggressors. Even while seeking peace, we will find opposition. The Bible tells us that anyone who lives godly will have persecution. Knowing how to remain godly during persecution is the challenge.
Persecutions
When someone questions our beliefs, this is not persecution. A disagreement is not persecution. A conflict regardless of how sharp the dispute is, is not persecution. Many people attempt to make themselves into martyrs by agitating a conflict so that they feel persecuted. In reality many so-called persecutions are actually times when we are dealing with an emotional crisis rather than a spiritual attack. Persecution is a malicious attack against someone because of their faith in Christ. People are persecuted because they will not compromise the truth, or turn from their godly principles.
Even in persecution, we are not the victim, but the victor. God is not shocked when someone lashes out because of our faith. We were foretold, therefore we should not be shocked either. When the apostles were beaten, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to be partakers of Christ’s suffering. When they were imprisoned, they sang praises to God. The Bible repeatedly tells us to count suffering as a joy and rejoice. When persecuted, we are commanded to be merciful and do good in return. Of course this goes against human nature. I have seen people condemn their opponents to hell and lash out. Our example is to follow Jesus’ example. He loved His persecutors until the end. He was merciful to those who hated Him, forgave those who were killing Him and never lashed out against them. Of course this attitude is not a cakewalk. In the flesh, it is impossible to do these things. Only God’s Spirit working through us can accomplish these things.
We must first know that these things will happen. In Luke 6:26, Jesus said woe to us when all men speak well of us. If the world calls us good, then we are not distinguishable from the world. Many Christians try to appeal to the world thinking that they can reach through compromise. The world will indeed love the compromising Christian, but the world is not saved by the Christian becoming like them. They are required to die to the flesh and follow Christ, not we dying to Christ and living like the world. Until we realize that we are at war with the world, we can’t be effective in reaching those lost in the world. Look at John 15
19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 "Remember the word that I said to you, ’A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
If the world does not have a problem with your faith, it should be a warning sign that we are not conforming to Christ. We are still peacemakers, but only those who are willing to love Christ will accept His peace.
Not only are we told to expect persecution, but also we are told how to handle it when it does come. Look at Matthew 5:
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Once again, the Spirit of God working within us goes against our natural man. World religions are based on the human perspective. Almost all world religions hate their enemies, but God calls us to love our enemies. God calls us to do what we cannot do because it reveals to us our need to surrender to God completely. Romans 12:14 reiterates this message by saying, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse”. Anyone can curse their enemies. Anyone can love their friends. Only living by the Spirit can enable us to love those we naturally want to lash out against. If we are told to love those who spitefully use us, it is also evident that we are to love those who use us out of selfishness without malice.
God uses trouble.
God will use trouble and even our enemies to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Look at these two passages:
Matthew 18:7 "Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Why must offenses come? I believe that it is because we often require a chisel to chip off the hard edges that hinder us from becoming what God has planned us to be. When we become hard and set in our ways, we don’t change easily. I have my own ideas and own plans. I present them to God for approval without any consideration that they may not be taking me where God truly wants me to be. Only God can see the end from the beginning. I may have a vision and God may reveal to me what direction I should go, but I am limited in my ability to see beyond my immediate point of view. I believe that God wants to use good things to shape me and will when it is possible. However, comfort often breeds complacency and when there is no resistance, I will never change my direction.
Everyone will be used by God in one way or another. I will either submit and be used according to His plan for my life, or I will fight against God and be used by God to accomplish His purpose without my benefit. Offenses must come because God uses it to shape or redirect our lives. God must send offenses, but He will also judge the rebellious person who delivers the offense. God does not make people sin, but He does allow the wicked to be used unknowingly. It was sinners at war with God that crucified Jesus. They will be judged for their offense, but the crucifixion was necessary. God did not make the Pharisees conspire against Jesus. They first rejected Him, then hated Him and then God allowed them to carry out their wicked plans in order to accomplish His miraculous plan.
The same is true in our lives. The Bible says that when our ways please God, even our enemies will be at peace. Even with good intentions, we can go in the wrong direction. Offenses and persecution do not mean that we are being judged. God may be using our enemy to close a door so that God can lead us to a better open door. God may use our enemies to test us in order to build our faith and character. Enemies may be used to prepare us to be used by God sometime in the future. We don’t know God’s plan, we only know that He uses all things – including our enemies – to work together for the good of us who love God so we can do according to His purpose.
Being wronged.
Not all wrongs are the result of persecution. Everyone is wronged at different times in life. The Bible tells us that it is commendable to endure a wrong and God will be our reward. This does not necessarily have to be a spiritual attack. Most of our wrongs are not an attack on our faith. Even so, God rewards us when we endure with faith. Luke 6 says:
29 "To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
30 "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 "And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
1 Peter 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
The Bible does go on to discuss doing good and suffering for it, but I also believe that this passage applies to every area of our life. If we are cheated, and we don’t retaliate because we are conscious that God is our restorer, then we are commended by God. Obviously there is a fine line to be drawn here. We are not called to allow dishonesty and injustice, but there will be many times when we can’t control what happens to us. Instead of harboring bitterness, we are to let it go and let God be the One who makes things right in our life.
Everyone is wronged in the workplace, in business, and in almost every area of life. Anyone who focuses on the wrongs in their life will feel like a victim. Everyone is a victim of prejudice, circumstances, and disadvantages. Sinful human nature causes people to judge based on appearance. Human nature looks out for self at the cost of others. Human nature causes us to dwell on what is wrong and then blinds us to the things that are a blessing. Everyone has been wronged and everyone will be wronged again. We who trust God can let go without retaliation because we can endure grief out of a good conscience toward God. It is impossible to be a victim if we are walking according to God’s purpose. Most people know this passage by heart:
Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Commonly people ignore the last phrase in verse 28, “to those who are called according to His purpose”. We are all victims if we are following our own purposes. We are victims of our own selfish desires which will rob us of God’s best. However, if we are following God, there is no such thing as a wrong because everything works toward our good so that we can live in His purpose and conform to His image.
We who have a relationship with Christ have a perspective and understanding that the world cannot fathom. We have promise the world cannot have without turning to Christ. Life is not what we can do for ourselves, but what God has done for us and is doing through us. Suffering, trouble and persecution are all blessings that shape us, mold us, direct us and benefit us in this life and as a reward in heaven. Only through His Spirit can we see our problems as God has intended. God does not shield us from problems, but God does shield us from anything that will not work toward accomplishing His will. God has given us a special promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Temptation includes suffering. Problems tempt us to abandon the faith and seek our own solution. When we have a problem, it is easy to be tempted to compromise a little to avoid suffering, sacrifice or persecution. The deeper the problem and the deeper the temptation, the deeper the grace of God is upon our life. Corrie ten Boom, a committed Christian who hid Jews from Hitler was arrested and sent to a concentration camp made the following statement years later, “There is no pit so deep that God’s grace is not deeper still”. This is an accurate statement. The grief that is too heavy to bear can only be found in the life of someone who does not fully trust God.
The Christian life is not focused on ‘me’. Christianity is not man-centered, but God centered. Our life is what God has done for us; what God is doing through us; and how God can be glorified through us. If our love is for God, our trust is in God, and our hope is through God, we will never be disappointed.
Eddie Snipes
Exchanged Life Outreach
http://www.exchangedlife.com
