“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted.”

    2 Timothy 3:12

    This week, five Americans were returned to our country from Iran. Great focus has been on the background of each man. One in particular captured my attention. His name is Saeed Abedini. Saeed is an Iranian born Christian who has been imprisoned in Iran for three years because of his faith in Christ.

    Abedini is not the only Christian that was persecuted for his faith in 2015. Twenty-one Coptic Christians were beheaded on the shore near Tripoli. Some sources guess that an estimated 7,100 Christians died for the faith last year.

    Among American Christians, there is growing conversation about the changing landscape for Christianity in our country. Many believe that resistance and persecution of Christians is around the corner. For some, that pressure already exists.

    So, how should a Christian look at the prospects of persecution when it comes?

     First, we should see persecution as normal. In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul said, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted.” Suffering for the faith should not be seen as an interruption to Christian living. It should be seen as a natural product of Christian living. The more we live and love like Christ did, the more we will be maligned and misunderstood by our society. Persecution for the dedicated Christian is not a probability, it is reality.

    Second, we should see persecution as a test. In Matthew 13:21, Jesus tells of shallow soil sprouting early by falling away when tribulation and persecution comes. Persecution reveals shallow commitment to following Jesus. Many people once were active in God’s service, but now walk away because of something someone did to them. The test of how much we love Jesus should prove we love nothing more than we love Him. That priority should include even loving Jesus more than we love ourselves.

     Third, if God is for us, we should see no one that can separate us from God’s love. In Romans 8:35, Paul lists all the things that cannot separate us from God’s love. Persecution is on the list. In this statement, Paul reminds us that it is the love of God that keeps us connected and confident amid difficulties in life. Paul concludes we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

     Saeed Abedini is on our radar because he has remained faithful under fire. Opposition might have wished to silence him. Instead they gave him a platform to impact the world.

    Our fear should not be that someone reacts because they see our faith. Our greatest fear should be that we have become such politically correct, milk toast, watered-down Christians that no one cares what we believe.

    May we see that the greatest witnesses for the faith were always tested by fire and remained firm in their walk with God. As we note that persecution is real, let us be resolved that Jesus’ love compels us to love Him back and nothing will ever change that motive for why we are different; why we are optimistic; why we are loving; why we are immoveable; why we are eager to live each day in celebration of God’s love.

 

Dr. John A. Temple is pastor of Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church, located at 4032 Poplar Springs Drive in Meridian. Visit the church website online at www. psdbc.org.