Persecution in the USA? Part III: Purpose of Persecution

Over the last couple of weeks we have been examining persecution of the church.  Last post I demonstrated from the Word of God that persecution is assured for believers as a normal course of the Christian life.  This week we carefully consider God’s purpose in persecution.  I explore this topic with trepidation:  I make no claim to be the final authority on this issue nor do I make any claim to know the mind of God.  As I explore this topic I am relying much on the resources provided in the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) online classroom.          

The VOM course Introduction to Persecution Studies identifies nine purposes for persecution.  

1. The spread of the Gospel to a hostile world by those who are submitted as “cross-bearing” servants.
2. God is Glorified or reflected to others “through our suffering and loving self-sacrifice for others” 
3. Fellowship with Christ as we share in His sufferings.
4. Breaks the Bondage of Self Reliance as we turn to Him and only Him during those times of persecution.
5. Suffering helps us to see the bigger picture as we change our focus from the problems of this world toward the hope that is yet to come 
6. Testing of our faith revealing “what our faith is and what it is not...Persecution simply reveals the kind of person you are and the depth of your walk.”  
7. Preparation for Receiving One’s Inheritance
8. Witness to the unbelieving world as a testimony to the power of His message
9. The work and accusations of Satan are demonstrated through persecution as he attacks believers. “Yet, the testimony of scripture is that Satan's activity is limited, and that God ultimately holds history in His hands, which points to even Satan's attacks having a divinely appointed purpose and concession.”

Additionally, in Chapter 3 in the book In the Shadow of the Cross Glenn Penner surveys the theological implications of persecution in the Book of Acts.  He concludes the chapter with three points I think are worth repeating here.

1. The disciples “had a clear understanding of the sovereignty of God.”  The early disciples understood their responsibility was to follow God wherever that led them, including death.  They grasped the reality that God was in control and focused on accomplishing His higher purposes, not their own earthly agenda.   
2. “They viewed suffering for Christ a privilege and an honor” (Acts 5:41).  Throughout Acts we witness the disciples after being imprisoned or beaten praising God and encouraging the other believers (Acts 16:22, 25; 16:40; 14:22). 
3. The disciples “had a clear perception of the glory of martyrdom.”  One only has to read to Acts 6 - 7 to see the beautiful testimony of Stephen’s defense of the hope within him (1 Pet 3:15).  Read First Peter (1 Peter) and take note of how many times he mentions suffering.  When he admonishes us to have a ready defense it was in the context of suffering (1 Pet 3:14).  In 1 Pet 4:12-14, the apostle explains how we should not be surprised at persecution and to “rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy...blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”    

Understanding why persecution occurs and is ordained by God as part of His plan is difficult for us to wrap our finite minds around.  I accept that God is sovereign.  The proper question is to ask, “In light of the persecution of our brothers and sisters, what shall we then do?”  This will be explored in the next post.  

In Him,

JS