But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14
I think you’ve gotten the point that God gives us some hard messages to obey. We are often directed to do what is the opposite of our human nature. These two verses above are perfect examples. Love our enemies? Bless those who persecute us? Pray for them? Sounds like a cruel joke. I’d rather curse them and give them what they deserve. Yet this path of praying and blessing is the example Christ gave us through His life and His death.
Jesus knew that the enemies of the cross ultimately could not overcome His love. Further, persecution actually has the opposite effect of what we might think. Here in the west, the thought of being targeted for our faith might spark fear, but it does not in places where it is more challenging to live and worship. Persecution results in the exact opposite of what those who do it intend to happen.
Here are some of the positive effects of persecution:
- God shines through us when we are weakest (2 Corinthians 12:10)
- It encourages other believers in the faith, not discourages them (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
- It often causes Christians to scatter, but this only spreads the Gospel to a wider area (Acts 8:1, 4)
- It unifies and strengthens the bonds of the broader Christian community (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
The main point of today is that some of those who are enemies of Christians and participate in persecution eventually have their hearts broken and turned to Christ because they are loved and blessed (1 Timothy 1:12-14). I’ve met some in today’s world who have this testimony.
Paul promised us in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. So, if you’re not being persecuted, what does that mean? Once again, I realize that we live in a fairly Christian-friendly country (at the moment) where using real faith hasn’t been that needed. But there are practical ways to be more active for the Lord.
These verses should inspire us into bold faith coupled with action. This can take place in the form of witnessing to friends, speaking God’s truth in love through social media, and taking a more active role in our churches and communities. I encourage you to ask God today what you can do for Him, come what may.
