PERSECUTION

A vital key in standing firm in the face of increasing levels of persecution is to remember that we belong to Jesus and He lovingly secures us in His hand. So, we need never fear danger for our jobs, reputations, finances, or even our physical lives. Our Savior said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). We can also take courage from knowing the glory awaiting us: “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20, NIV).
*An amazing man from Church history, John Chrysostom, the archbishop of Constantinople, ran afoul of Byzantine Empress Eudoxia for preaching against the court’s misuse of wealth, neglect of the poor, and immoral indulgences. False charges of heresy were brought against Chrysostom and he was brought before the empress for trial. When he refused to bend, the following story is told that the empress threatened to banish him.
“You cannot banish me,” Chrysostom replied. “For this world is my Father’s house.”
“But I will kill you,” said Eudoxia.
“No, you cannot, for my life is hidden with Christ in God.”
“I will take away your treasures.”
No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”
“But I will drive you away from your friends,” said Eudoxia.
“No, you cannot, for I have a Friend in heaven from Whom you cannot separate me. There is nothing you can do to harm me.”
The empress finally exiled Chrysostom to hostile conditions that brought about his death. (* from “Nothing You Can Do to Harm Me,” Gospel Coalition, August 10, 2009)
Just like John Chrysostom, you and I must realize that God hating persecutors can take nothing from us because we are children of the living God through our Savior, the Lord Christ Jesus.
It isn’t likely that Christ followers in the USA will soon face martyrdom (at least thus far). However, we can draw courage from Christian martyrs throughout Church history, and those now enduring terrible persecution in other countries. So, it stands to reason that if they can be strong in the face of torture and death, we too must be willing to be strong in the Lord in the face of Christian bashing and repression that’s rising in America today.