The Paradox of Persecution
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
In Matthew Henry’s Commentary, Mr. Henry wrote, “This is the greatest paradox of all, and peculiar to Christianity, and therefore it is put last (of the Beatitudes), and more largely insisted upon than any of the rest”. A paradox, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is a “statement contrary to common belief”. The question is asked, “If we are doing right, why should anyone persecute us?” “Doesn’t doing the right thing insure us of having good things happen to us?” This is one of those things that sounds good in theory, but in the real world we find that righteousness is not always looked upon favorably by humans. We can go all the way back to the book of Genesis and find the account of the first murder committed against one man, Abel, who had been judged by God as righteous. Abel and Cain had each brought their sacrifice unto the LORD. Since Abel kept sheep his offering was the first and best lamb of his sheep, a symbol of the blood offering that Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, would make to atone for man’s sins many years after Abel offered his sacrifice. Cain’s offering, because he was a farmer, was from his garden, but God was not pleased with his offering nor was He pleased with the manner in which it was offered. Cain’s heart was wicked, and his offering was brought not with a heart of repentance and love, but with an attitude of careless duty. God knows every heart and every motive that moves each person to do right or to do wrong. Abel was righteous and suffered, not for his righteousness, but because his brother was an evil, jealous man (I John 3:12).
We are told in I John 3:13 to not be surprised if the world hates us. Those of us who have been Christians for a good while know what it is to be made fun of or criticized or ostracized because of our beliefs and our attempt to walk in the fruit of the Spirit. We have not suffered the persecution here in America that has been going on in other countries for centuries, however, things are looking more bleak for the true believers in today’s society. I originally wrote these notes in 2011, and one of the things that I wrote at that time was the thought that there may come a time when our churches will be closed. What do you know? The COVID-19 pandemic has caused churches to close all over the nation. Some of them are reopening for limited times of worship, but who knows when we will ever get back to regular worship services. If the socialists and freedom-haters ever get their way, public worship of God could be outlawed.
We may truly suffer for following Christ. The Apostle Peter wrote in I Peter 2:19-21: “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted (to be beaten back) for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” No one has suffered for righteousness’ sake more than Jesus Christ. Peter continues in verses 22 through 24 to describe the patient reaction Jesus assumed at His trial and execution: He did not sin, therefore His punishment was undeserved. He spoke no deceitful, harsh, or hateful words. He did not retaliate against His false accusers. When He was beaten and scourged and was paraded naked in front of the whole city, He made no threats against His enemies. He obeyed His Father who sent Him for the very purpose of paying the penalty for our sins. If we think we have been treated “unfairly” for our acts of righteousness, what about Jesus?
The statement has been made: “God is not fair, He’s just.” As bad as it may get for believers, we have the hope of heaven and the end of all suffering. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:18: “For I reckon (to consider, judge, depend on) that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” There is a light, a great Light, at the end of the tunnel.