Suffering / Persecution – Robert Hatfield

August 5, 2015August 5, 2015

Six Ways to Prepare for Persecution

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).

These words of Paul are familiar to many of us Christians. We’re used to studying about the persecution that our first century brethren endured, including Paul. Could it be that modern Christians will come to know that kind of persecution? I can’t answer that question for sure, but I will say this: I believe we are about to experience different types of persecution – perhaps more similar to that of the Christians in the Bible – than the “persecution” (if we can even call it that) which we have previously received.

This is a far different country now than the one in which we all grew up. The legalization of same-sex marriage is a manifestation of a shift in American thinking – one that has been a long time coming, but has finally caught up with us and with our worldview as a nation. Of course, we are seeing similar changes take place in other parts of the world, too.

But persecution is not the end of the world. Peter says that we can “glorify God in this matter” (1 Pet. 4:16). The apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Paul said that God’s people should expect persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus said that the world will hate His followers because the world hated Him (John 15:18).

We need to prepare for persecution. But how do we do that? Here are six suggestions.

1. Pray.

The first century church responded to the persecution of Peter and John (brought about by their preaching) through prayer (Acts 4:23-31). They prayed for boldness that they would keep preaching.

2. Put on the armor.

Satan will use persecution to try to shake your faith. That’s why Paul exhorts us to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). That armor will equip you to fight the spiritual battle in which Christians are engaged. We are armed with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the word of God.

3. Choose faithfulness today.

It’s hard to know how we will respond to intense persecution. We’re not living that right now. All we can do today is to choose that we will always be faithful. That’s what Jesus exhorted the church at Smyrna to do. He said, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer … be faithful…” (Rev. 2:10). Decide today that you will never forsake your Lord.

4. Look to the crown.

Revelation 2:10 goes on to say that the faithful will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Paul echoed that same promise in 2 Timothy 4:8.

5. Look to Jesus.

Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). We look to Him.

6. Choose to grow in persecution.

Peter said that the Christians to whom he wrote were experiencing a testing of faith by fire. It was intense and likely unpleasant, but they could get through it, and their faith would be stronger because of it (1 Pet. 1:7-8). The first century church thrived in persecution, and we can, too!

Let’s wrap it up: Persecution is not the end of the world. We will have to make some difficult decisions that will set us at odds with our culture, but God has promised us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

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This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

April 22, 2015July 2, 2015

Vengeance is God’s

I’ve been thinking lately about some biblical principles of peace. When we practice these principles in our lives, then the result will be peace in our lives, our communities, and in our world.

Here’s the principle about which I’m thinking today: Vengeance belongs to God. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 as he writes, “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). What exactly does that mean? What does this have to do with peace in our live and communities? Here are several observations.

1. Because vengeance is God’s, we can give our problems to Him. The Holy Spirit isn’t asking us to tolerate someone else’s wrongdoings. He isn’t saying that we should let people run all over us to the extent that evil runs amuck in our society. That’s where the civil authority comes in (discussed in Romans 13). Instead, Paul is saying that the right response when we’re tempted to seek out vengeance is to give that to God. God will render to each one according to their deeds (Rom. 2:6).

2. Because vengeance is God’s, we know that the injustices committed against us will be handled fairly. We tend to allow the wrongs committed against us to swell out of proportion in our minds, don’t we? Little things become big things quickly. God is just and fair.

3. Because vengeance is God’s, not one evildoer will go unpunished. God sees everything (Heb. 4:13). He knows what happened in every situation, and He knows every detail of truth about that situation. Romans 12:19 teaches me that His wrath will come on those who are disobedient to Him – including those who may deeply hurt you.

4. Because vengeance is God’s, everyone has an opportunity to repent. Now this point can be a hard pill to swallow. Remember, God loves everyone. That, of course, includes the blasphemer, persecutor, the violent aggressor, the adulterer, the thief, the drunkard and the extortioner, to borrow some from Paul’s listings in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:13. The goal is that they will learn of Jesus and respond to Him in obedience to the gospel. So, even here in Romans 12:20, Paul writes,

Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Treat your enemy with kindness and love. Be willing to forgive the moment that he or she asks your forgiveness. Do everything you can to fill your heart with the love of Jesus. The Bible teaches that God allows the earth to stand today because He wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 1:15). Certainly that includes your enemy.

Let’s wrap it up: God is faithful. God is just. You know, when we seek to avenge ourselves and to get back at someone else because of something they did to us, are we not stepping into God’s territory and putting ourselves in a place that God says clearly belongs to Him? We better be careful. We better be people of peace.

And so, Paul offers this final exhortation at the close of Romans 12: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

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March 10, 2015July 2, 2015

A Great Tool for Spiritual Growth

Everyone suffers – the good and the bad, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. No one is exempt. Christians certainly aren’t excused from suffering. Jesus said that the prophets were persecuted and we will be, too (Mat. 5:10-12). Paul said that all Christians will suffer (2 Tim. 3:12). He knew, in a deeply personal way, the pain of suffering, yet he said that today’s sufferings can’t compare to eternity’s glory (Rom. 8:18).

Persecution is an opportunity for spiritual growth. Do you want to be closer to God and to God’s people? There’s hardly a better way to deepen your faith than to endure persecution. That’s why James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2), because “the man who endures temptation … will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).

Allow me to direct our attention to 1 Peter 4. Much of this entire book is devoted to the topic of suffering for our faith. Peter says that Christ suffered for us and that we were called to suffering ourselves (1 Pet. 2:21). He continues the conversation about Christ’s suffering in chapter three: “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). It is with that backdrop that chapter four begins.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (1 Pet. 4:1-2).

Will you respond to suffering in a way that will bring about spiritual growth for your soul? Peter tells us how to do it here in 1 Peter 4.

1. Be defended.

Peter says that we need to be armed to defend ourselves against one of Satan’s most powerful weapons, persecution. You know as well as I do that the devil will use suffering to shake our faith. Peter says that we must arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. When Jesus “suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). That’s what we must do.

2. Be determined.

Some people are going to think that we’re weird for choosing a path that could bring suffering our way (1 Pet. 4:3-4). Peter assures us, “do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12). We do that, don’t we? We suffer and wonder, “Why is this happening to me?”. But why do we think that we’re the only Christians who will never suffer? Why do we think that we will be the only Christians in history who haven’t been persecuted?
Peter says that our suffering is not strange. Instead, we ought to be determined to rejoice in it (1 Pet. 4:13), to glorify God in it (1 Pet. 4:16), and to commit our souls to God in it (1 Pet. 4:19).

Let’s wrap it up: Do you really want to be a strong Christian? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Mat. 5:10). When the pain comes, let’s choose the path of growth. Christianity is called “the Way” in the book of Acts. We don’t claim that it’s the easy way. We don’t claim that it’s the way of least resistance. But it is the right way. It’s the way that Jesus says leads to eternal life and rest with Him and with God. That’s the way that I want to walk. What about you?