The recent arrest and imprisonment of a Canadian pastor has led to some difficult, important questions – questions about the role of the church, the reach of the State, and the parameters of persecution. A question that arises from this is significant: what is persecution?
First, let us recognize that persecution may be different than we expect. Many of us have thought of persecution in a rather simplistic way – evil men in clearly evil uniforms showing up at our doorstep and demanding that we deny Christ. This may indeed happen to some, but many Christians will face persecution under different circumstances than these. Simply put, Christians will suffer because Christ is King. There is spiritual conflict taking place behind the worldly conflicts we experience (Eph 6:12), but we should recognize that persecution is rarely identified this way. For example: John the Baptist was beheaded for condemning a public official’s immorality (Matt 14); the Pharisees beat and imprisoned the apostles out of jealousy (Acts 5:17, 40); Stephen was stoned for blasphemy (Acts 6-7); Paul and Silas were imprisoned for obstructing the local economy (Acts 16); Paul was jailed as a political instigator and insurrectionist (Acts 24:5); and many other examples exist (Heb 11:35-38). Would we suggest that these did not suffer for Christ because the world slandered them even as it persecuted them? Why did they truly experience persecution? They suffered because Christ is King. Suffering may come in different forms and in different degrees (cf. Heb 12:4), but we should be slow to disregard persecution against brothers and sisters in Christ. To ignore this is to ignore the slander that was levied against our Savior (Matt 27:37). We suffer because Christ is King.
How might we respond? Pray now – and pray often. Be constant in prayer (Rom 12:12) and trust in the Lord always (Prov 3:5-6). This is foundational, indispensable, and essential.
Further, expect persecution in this life. This is surely never popular advice, and no one is eager to hear these words. Yet consider the lives (and deaths) of the apostles. The early church did not suffer persecution because they had failed – they experienced persecution because Christ has triumphed! We follow in His footsteps, and this brings persecution in this world (2 Tim 3:12; Jn 16:33). Again, we will be persecuted – because Christ is King.
In keeping with the above, we must determine to stand with fellow believers. Those who are reading this may very well not fear imminent persecution – many of us may feel quite shielded from the evils of this world. But consider Paul’s words from the conclusion of Colossians: “Remember my chains” (4:18). Stand with fellow believers, knowing that the Christians experiencing persecution around the world are members of the same body (cf. Eph 1:22-23; 2:19-22). We are bound together, and stand together – because Christ is King.
Finally, we should not take lightly the command to proclaim the gospel. When the commands of the State prevent us from following Christ’s commands, we must remember the example set for us in Scripture (see Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:28). The worship of the church and preaching of the gospel are essential. We simply cannot compromise – because Christ is King.
In the waning days of World War II, pastor-theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the last prisoners executed by the Third Reich. Choosing to remain with his people who were suffering under the Nazi regime, Bonhoeffer was unceremoniously hanged as an enemy of the State. His last words were reportedly: “This is the end. For me the beginning of life.” Let us live with a faith that trusts God in all things (Rom 8:28). Let us live lives that testify that Christ is King.
SDG,
Josh Howard
Article originally published in the Journal of the Baptist Missionary Association of Mississippi 75, 5 (Mar 2021): 1