Fighting Persecution

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV)

In light of the recent controversy involving the National Football League and the National Anthem, memes of Tim Tebow kneeling in prayer on the football field are appearing on social media from those deriding the media and others for their hypocrisy.  It is all right for players to sit during the Anthem, they observe, but what Tebow?  Why was he so derided for what he did?

I have seen these memes and comments from friends on social media, and they follow what has been a trend for some time: Believers like to complain and murmur about their unfair treatment by the culture at-large.  In the 80’s and 90’s, it was movies and art that sent many believers into rage, protests, and boycotts, as they interpreted them as direct assaults on their faith.  Likewise, issues such as prayer in schools, same-sex, marriage, and even, saying “Merry Christmas” have stirred the pot of the so-called “culture wars.” And, as the name implies, many believers have been anxious to do battle, to push back against what they perceive as a frontal attack on their core beliefs.

What has surprised me over the years of observing this, and particularly more recently with the dominance of social media in our lives, is the seemingly utter shock and incredulity of many believers that their faith is under attack.  And, as a result, many hit back hard, some with reasoned arguments pointing to the blatant hypocrisy of the other side’s positions, and others with a full dose of cynicism.  The question is, why do we so often believe we need to defend against the attacks aimed at us or at our Lord, particularly in light of what He says?

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Where in this quote from the Sermon on the Mount do we get the idea persecution is something we should resent and fight against?  Or why such a surprise when it happens when the Scriptures are so clear we WILL be persecuted as a result of our faith? And why do we feel the need to rail against how we are treated as Christians by the culture when Jesus says to “rejoice and be glad”?

Perhaps it is because this is exactly where our enemy wants to lead us—to expend our energies fighting fleshly battles rather than the more important ones against the principalities and powers of the heavenly realms. A thorough reading of the gospels reveals the Lord spent little time attacking those persecuting Him, with the exceptions of the religious leaders of the day.  He didn’t bother because the work of the Kingdom was calling and it was far more important.  He knew the hypocrites and the persecutors would, in time, have their day of judgment.  With that assurance, He didn’t waste His time and energy on them.  And neither should we.

Today, if you are all wound up about how you or your faith is being treated by the culture, it is time for you to re-examine the Scriptures. What you will see is persecution is inevitable and should be embraced rather than resented.  There are far more important things on which to focus and expend your energy, and you should start today.

© Jim Musser 2017