Faith that Endures Suffering and Persecution

It seems with each passing day, more and more people raise the possibility of persecution of Christians in the United States. Many see religious liberty slipping away. Christians are beginning to wonder what the future holds.

Lesser in Number and Influence

For many years, it seems that Christianity has been the most dominant spiritual presence in the United States. While it some parts of our nation its influence is still great, most people would agree such influence is shrinking everywhere. A growing number of polls and surveys reveal majority positions with which evangelicals would disagree. As Christians, we are becoming lesser in number in proportion to the growth of the United States. This is resulting in ever-growing abuse being demonstrated toward Christians and our beliefs we hold dear in the Scripture.

When Suffering and Persecution occurs in Our Lives

Thankfully, we are not without instruction from God’s word on our responses to suffering. What happens when our inclinations as citizens collide with our responsibilities as followers of Christ? The first epistle written by the Apostle Peter was to believers who were scattered all over. Persecution, if it had not already started, was always a possibility. Nonetheless, Peter instructed them (and us), “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.”¹

God’s will is for us to submit to the authorities He has put in place over us. Sometimes, this will result in suffering. Peter is clear. If we suffer, we should suffer because we have done good and not evil (v. 20). Whether things are going well for us or whether we are in the midst of persecution, our orders are clear. As Mary Jo Sharp writes in the Summer 2014 unit of Bible Studies for Life, “Peter held up Jesus as their example, who Himself endured undeserved persecution by entrusting Himself to God, who judges justly.”²

When Jesus Suffered and was Persecuted

Consider for a moment, the suffering of Jesus. He never did a single thing wrong. Scripture calls Him the Lamb of God without spot and without blemish; Perfect, pure, and without sin. He never did anything to warrant persecution for doing evil, but suffered plenty for doing good. His sacrifice was not for wrong He had done, but for the sin of the entire world. The suffering He endured was, from a human perspective, unjust in the extreme. Yet, He never pleaded His own case.

How should we respond when Persecuted?

The Bible warns that the children of God will suffer. “In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”³

The presence of persecution is not the issue. We will face it. Let us, like Jesus and so many of His followers, remain true to Him through a resilient faith that overcomes suffering for His glory.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

¹– 1 Peter 2:13-15, HCSB
²– Bible Studies for Life, Resilient Faith, Mary Jo Sharp
³– 2 Timothy 3:12, HCSB