Selwyn introduces today’s study with a question. “How should a Christian respond when he or she is persecuted because of righteousness? With love and with grace. ‘Easier said than done’, you may think to yourself. I agree. But though it may be difficult, it is not impossible. We must never forget that God has guaranteed a supply of His grace to meet every need.”
It’s good to recall the words of Jesus to His disciples, in Luke 21:12-15,19; ‘But before all this (the end times), they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. … By standing firm you will gain life.’
The important point is that Jesus will provide what you need to stand firm if you ever undergo persecution and you should not worry about how you may survive – as we know, today has enough worries of its own.
His concluding remarks are another warning to those who prefer to merge with the masses; “We may fear to stand out and be different. But if we compromise and abandon our principles in order to avoid being ridiculed or persecuted then we not only dishonour our Lord but there will be no joy or satisfaction in our soul. In other words, we will not be blessed.” In addition, if we let the fear of persecution control our actions, we are no longer fully trusting in Jesus’ love for us – when this happens we fail to live life to the full and the effectiveness of our faith is considerably reduced – do you agree?
We are also blessed with another excellent prayer to finish off today’s study: “O God, please give me strength and courage to stand my ground amidst non-Christians and never compromise. But please give me wisdom, too, so that I may handle all situations with creativity and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The freedom to choose
Selwyn introduces today’s study with a question. “How should a Christian respond when he or she is persecuted because of righteousness? With love and with grace. ‘Easier said than done’, you may think to yourself. I agree. But though it may be difficult, it is not impossible. We must never forget that God has guaranteed a supply of His grace to meet every need.”
It’s good to recall the words of Jesus to His disciples, in Luke 21:12-15,19; ‘But before all this (the end times), they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. … By standing firm you will gain life.’
The important point is that Jesus will provide what you need to stand firm if you ever undergo persecution and you should not worry about how you may survive – as we know, today has enough worries of its own.
His concluding remarks are another warning to those who prefer to merge with the masses; “We may fear to stand out and be different. But if we compromise and abandon our principles in order to avoid being ridiculed or persecuted then we not only dishonour our Lord but there will be no joy or satisfaction in our soul. In other words, we will not be blessed.” In addition, if we let the fear of persecution control our actions, we are no longer fully trusting in Jesus’ love for us – when this happens we fail to live life to the full and the effectiveness of our faith is considerably reduced – do you agree?
We are also blessed with another excellent prayer to finish off today’s study: “O God, please give me strength and courage to stand my ground amidst non-Christians and never compromise. But please give me wisdom, too, so that I may handle all situations with creativity and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”