Persecuted for Christ

(2 Timothy 3:10-13 – Persecuted for Christ)

So, you have accepted Christ into your life and now everything is sunshine and lolly-pops. IS that what “they” told you when you came to Christ? And if it isn’t like that do you feel guilty or are worried you are doing something wrong? Nothing is wrong. What you will learn is that you will be persecuted for Christ.

Well, if anyone believes everything will be rosy and that they will never have any problems , they are sadly mistaken.

Look at what Paul has to say in this scripture today. The only thing that you can be sure of is that you will be persecuted for Christ. In fact Christians are the most persecuted group of people in the world. Jesus Himself told us this would be the case.

Paul’s example

Before continuing to look at what it means to be persecuted for Christ, let’s look at the scripture under review.

10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Ico’nium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. (2 Timothy 3:10-13)

In verse 11 Paul talks about some of the ways he was persecuted for Christ. He talks elsewhere (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-29) of the many other persecutions he suffered because he was a Christian.

And that is something that you need to be certain of. It was because he was a Christian that he was being persecuted. And it is because you are a Christian that you will be persecuted for Christ.

But you should also note Paul’s words at the end of verse 11. It doesn’t matter what the persecutions were, the Lord rescued him from them all.

Paul did not allow his faith to waver while suffering persecutions. In fact the persecutions strengthened him and he stood firm in the faith.

Why are we persecuted for Christ?

The simple answer to this is because we are standing against the ways of this world. When we come to Christ, we can recognise the evil ways of this world and stand opposed to them as we learn and follow the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus said that we would suffer and be persecuted for Christ too.

16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. (Luke 21:16-19)

And;

21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes. (Matthew 10:21-23)

And again;

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but 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 persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me. (John 15:18-21)

It is because we are not of this world but are followers of God that the world hates and persecutes Christians. The ways of this world are evil and they love to do what is evil in the sight of God. But in Christ we are seeking to do the opposite. We are seeking how to do what is right in the sight of God so that we will have the right to live with God into eternity.

And the world hates us for that.

How do we deal with being persecuted for Christ?

Paul explained how we are to behave when we are being persecuted for Christ.

We do not turn and attack our persecutors. We leave their fates to the wrath of God because He is the judge of all mankind. And we don’t know whether those who are persecuting use today will turn, repent and be come to Christ tomorrow.

This is how Paul taught us to deal with persecutions using his own example.

11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13)

In all things we must remember to stand strong in our faith. It is faith that will get us through everything this world has to throw at us. Faith is the key to our lives, both in the here and now and in the future.

Judgement is not ours to take. Nor is revenge for the Lord has said that He will sort out those who persecute us.

Finally, note these words of wisdom that you can use when you are persecuted for Christ.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14-21)

The Lord will avenge where or if it is needed. He will judge people according to what they do, and His judgement will be just.

It is not our place to take matters into our own hands. Instead let us follow the sound words and advice given above and so lead lives that are pleasing to God. To please God is of most importance because in doing so we will receive eternal life.

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