By David Ettinger
Real Persecution
As a longtime reader of martyr literature, I know what real Christian persecution is. I have never experienced it, but I certainly recognize what it involves.
Real Christian persecution involves being beaten for your fidelity to Christ. Real Christian persecution involves having your house burned down. Real Christian persecution involves being hauled into the police station at 1 in the morning and undergoing questioning for hours on end. Real Christian persecution involves being jailed for no legitimate reason and kept from your loved ones for days, weeks, months, and even years. Real Christian persecution involves being murdered for your faith.
Such persecution occurs daily in countries such as North Korea, China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Sudan, and numerous others.
Western Persecution
In Western nations, Christianity is under attack, but not through the same violent means. In the U.S., Christians are free to worship openly, but our beliefs are being ever more maligned. For instance, a school teacher in Virginia was fired for not adhering to his school board’s mandates to acknowledge the gender preferences of his students. Elsewhere, florists and bakers have been sued and heavily penalized for refusing to provide services for same-sex weddings.
In Canada, Australia, and England, biblical teaching on homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, and calling certain actions “sin” has been labeled as “hate speech,” some of which result in legal consequences such as fines and incarceration. This will continue.
Do these Western assaults on Christian beliefs constitute “persecution” as does the terrible treatment of non-Western Christians? No, but what we experience in the West compared to what those outside the West experience has something in common: hatred.
Christianity is hated. Jesus Christ is hated. God is hated. The Bible is hated. If you are surprised by this, you are not reading your Bible. After all, it was Jesus himself who said: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
Don’t miss that last pronouncement, “because of this [believing in Jesus] the world hates you.” The Lord didn’t say that the world may hate you, but that it does hate you. It’s a done deal, a reality. This does not mean every unbeliever in the world despises you, but that as a principle, the world in general hates everything you stand for.
How to Respond
In light of this, how should Christians respond? Should we engage in political bickering, conspiracy theories, and attacking those who don’t see things our way? Here in the States, that seems to be the go-to response. Sadly, however, this is a far cry from what our Lord teaches.
Jesus says: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).
Several verses down, Jesus commands: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).
These texts do not require deep study or examination. What they do require is contemplation, humility, and obedience. Christians are to consider such attacks upon our freedoms – and our bodies, should that arise – as blessings. And when these things occur, we are to love those who afflict us. Is this difficult to do? You bet it is! However, it is what Jesus expects of us.
If someone attacks you for your faith, don’t pray for God to destroy them; pray for their souls. The next time a politician demeans God, the Bible, or Christianity, pray for them to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. The end result is that “you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
If persecution confirms that I am a true son of my Heavenly Father, how blessed I am! I don’t seek persecution, but if it leads to blessing, then may God have is will in my life, wherever that may lead!
jarilissima
June 11, 2021
“Do these Western assaults on Christian beliefs constitute “persecution” as does the terrible treatment of non-Western Christians? No”
I would say yes, actually. We may not be getting tortured, but if you get fired and your livelihood is taken away, that’s not small potatoes. How are you going to pay the bills? How are you going to feed your family? How are you going to “outrun” the bad reputation that will stick to you, that future potential employers will see and want nothing to do with?
It’s like the word “abuse.” Some abuse is worse than others. But whether someone abuses you once, or a hundred times, the one time you were abused is still abuse. Targeted campaigns against a Christian baker (while ignoring that other religions also won’t bake you whatever stupid cake) IS persecution.
And where are y’all hanging out that you see so many conspiracy theories?? Hahaha 😅
Honestly, when it comes to these type of posts, I need to know if you’re speaking of real-life persecution (getting fired, assaulted, etc.) or getting “persecution” online (abusive comments, people going on a rant against you, etc.). Because the latter happens online regardless of what faith you are.
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dettinger47
June 11, 2021
Good points, Yari. I suppose there are different levels of persecution ranging from the things you mentioned above to actually being tortured to death, or seeing your loved ones being tortured to death before your eyes.
A wide range indeed!
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jarilissima
June 11, 2021
I am curious though, is it Facebook where you (and other bloggers) are seeing these conspiracy theorist Christians? Or them arguing with each other? Or are they IN your church, bringing conflict to the fellowship?
The most I’ve come across are the spray-paint tags of “Flat Earth” in my town. There’s a lot, for some reason 🤔
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dettinger47
June 11, 2021
Many of Facebook, some on their WordPress blogs. Some in comments sections on certain articles.
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jarilissima
June 11, 2021
I must add that people ALWAYS get upset with me when I ask “is this online only or in real life?”
But I have no ulterior motives in asking, I just want to know.
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dettinger47
June 11, 2021
Definitely in real life. I hear much of it from my co-workers. Others hear these things in very conservative churches (mostly Baptist),
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jarilissima
June 11, 2021
Oh, that’s disappointing to hear
My town is opening back up, so I’m planning to attend church again. I should learn some basic apologetics now that I know I may encounter this in real life!
Thanks, Mr. David 😊 I hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend!
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dettinger47
June 11, 2021
You as well, Yari!
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Bruce Cooper
June 11, 2021
Sobering realities of what in fact, may or will come, thank you David.
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dettinger47
June 11, 2021
Thank you, Bruce. I agree with you … what may or will come.
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heavensreef
June 11, 2021
Yes that scripture that we are blessed if persecuted for our faith helps us to persevere in the faith! Praying here in AZ for all those whose eyes are blinded by the evil one. None of what is currently happening in the United States should surprise us!
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dettinger47
June 11, 2021
I agree with you entirely. Well said, Maxine.
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Lisa Beth
June 11, 2021
A pastor once said, “The more truth Jesus preached the more unpopular He became”. Yes, until finally the crowds shouted, “Crucify Him!” Perhaps it’s true with us, although we’ve lived in a country that had Christian roots. Nobody is bothered by nominal Christians.
I agree with Jarillisma, there is loss and suffering that leaves no obvious scars. – loss of livelihood, friends, promotions. Being shunned by peers.
But you’re right David, all of that is the divine dividing line that marks us as His. Therein is the reward and the joy that makes it endurable and worthwhile.
Press on brother!
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dettinger47
June 12, 2021
Well said, Lisa Beth. Amen!
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Crissy
June 12, 2021
I began to write a comment but it was too long so I deleted it.
Bottom line, I am in agreement with your post.
Have a blessed weekend.
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