Christians Are Persecuted

The best way to answer the question that titles this study is to examine the three passages in which the word “Christian” occurs. Let’s get right to it.

1 Peter 4:15-16 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.

Christians are Persecuted. Peter had just spoken of a “fiery trial” which was among those to whom he wrote, vs. 12, and had, in chapter one and verses six and seven, alluded to “manifold trials” that was a “proof of your faith”.

In Mathew 5:10-12, as Jesus began his mountaintop sermon, he laid down some basic principles regarding his kingdom. At the very outset he warned those who would be his disciples that theirs would not be an easy life. He spoke of this again in chapter 10:34-39.

If I am a true Christian I must expect to be persecuted. The apostle Paul went in to some detail regarding the persecution he endured, in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, and suffered the ultimate in persecution---the loss of his life, 2 Timothy 4:6.

Persecution comes when we speak what Jesus and the apostles spoke and it is considered to be “politically incorrect”. In a kind and loving manner speak out against abortion or homosexuality, or speak in favor of biblical creation and you’ll find this out.

Persecution arises when we take the words of Jesus and his apostles and compare that with the prevailing religious philosophies of the day. Talk about the necessity of baptism, the insufficiency of “faith alone”, or the “one church” and see how quickly the “you’re judgmental…unloving”, etc. accusations begin to be thrown at you.

Following Christ means speaking what He spoke, Matthew 10:27, and living as He lived, Matthew 10:24-25. That will not be a popular lifestyle. The life of the Christian is one of activism and confrontation against all forms of evil. Those who are evil hate the light and will stop at nothing to put out the light, John 3:19-21, as Jesus---the one we are to follow if we are Christians---found out.

David Smitherman