Jesus Guaranteed Persecution

© 2012 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

No one enjoys persecution. Most people seek to avoid it. Jesus, however, identifies persecution as a mark of the true Christian.

The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). How can persecution be an indication of God’s blessing? Jesus explained it this way. “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). Jesus bases this statement on the fact that He is Lord over His “servants,” the redeemed. Servants of Christ will obey Him even though their culture despises Him. While Christians should not try to be offensive (1 Peter 4:13-15), their joyful “spirit of glory” and their obedience to Christ will stir up persecution on the part of those who despise Christ and reject His message of Lordship.

Many who claim to be Christians choose to be quiet about it in order to avoid such persecution or conflict. True Christians, however, will be unable to do this because Christ has given them new natures that cannot remain silent about Him. Jesus points out that those who do remain silent are unsaved. He says, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). That, friends, refers to the final judgment when Christ will cast the unsaved into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

Are you willing to be persecuted for Jesus sake? If not, cry to Him for mercy and ask Him to forgive your sins and apply His substitutionary blood sacrifice to you. Ask Him to be your Master and Lord. He will then give you eternal salvation which shall never be taken away (John 10:28-29). He will produce Christ-honoring beliefs and behavior within you, and these will attract that persecution for which He will grant you mercy, grace, and willingness to endure.

Will you risk persecution for Christ?

 

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