July 20, 2011

• Persecution Preparation

  A friend of mine recently sent me this thought-provoking list, about "preparing for persecution" (i.e., preparing for a time in the future when people may treat you harshly because you believe in Jesus Christ, as He predicted in Matthew 5-7 and 24).

  I think it's quite interesting.... especially his points 3, 4, 8, and 10.  Jesus said to "watch and pray, that you will not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41)", and Peter said to "arm yourselves with the same purpose" (readiness to suffer for Christ's sake), so it's quite sensible to "prepare"...   But probably the main thing is to constantly stay in close fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we are walking closely with Him ("abiding in Him", John 15), we will naturally make the right choices when persecution threatens.

  Persecution Preparation

  1. We know that they know Jesus. "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." (Romans 1:8) "Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers."  (Ephesians 1:15-16) "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer."  (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5)

  2. They know God intimately through prayer.  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

  3. They have committed large portions of the Bible to memory.  "Give attention to reading. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:15; 3:14-17)

  4. They have committed large portions of culturally appropriate Christian music to memory.  "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."  (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)

  5. They know that they are prayed for and that they are not forgotten. "I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need." (Philippians 2:25)  "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:18-20; also see Ephesians 1:15-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:4)

  6. They know that their family is cared for.  "Because of the present distress, it is good for a man to remain as he is.  But he who is married cares about the things of the world.  But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Corinthians 7:26, 33;12:25-26)

  7. They know that they are suffering for Jesus. - God can use any witness except a non-witness.  We don't dare take away that testimony.  "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." (Philippians 1:12-14)

  8. They know that suffering is normal. "Paul was ‘strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."’ Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; see 2 Thessalonians 1:5)

  9. They must claim their freedom in Christ. Despite laws to the contrary political or legal. "For freedom Christ has made us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)

  10. They must lose their fear.  Satan sows a fear of fears.  - Under Roman law, you have no freedom.  The only decision you need to make is:  will you live by God's rule or by human rule.  Fear is tougher than persecution. "You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."  (Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7, also see Ephesians 6:19-20; Philippians 1:14)

  11. Missionaries teach us to be afraid. "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. When we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn-conflicts on the outside, fears within." (1 Corinthians 2:3; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 7:5)

  12. God takes a family portrait to build the church.  The most vibrant believers learned faith from their Mom & Dad and Grandpa & Grandma.  Until there are 3 or 4 generations of fruit, missionaries must a) build a Biblical genealogy of faith, and b) become a model of faith.  "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus ... To Timothy, my dear son ... I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God."  (2 Timothy 1:1-6) 

   

  "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."   John 12:24

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