Standing Strong in the Hour of Persecution

1 Peter 4:12–13 (NKJV)
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but 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.
 
These verses were written during a time of persecution for the first-century believer. Peter is in Rome and he decides to write a letter. He writes this letter to Christians who are not in Rome, but who have been dispersed abroad in Asia Minor at that time.
 
Peter is in Rome, where Nero, the Caesar, had blamed a fire which he started on the Christians. Christians were a minority and an easy target. Nero wanted to build parts of Rome in a way that he desired, so he started the fire. After everyone was upset over the damage, Nero claimed that the Christians started the fire. Some estimates claim that 6 million Christians over that period of time lost their lives either being burned at the stake or being fed to the lions.
 
Interestingly, years after Peter wrote his letter to persecuted Christians, he and his wife would ultimately lose their lives as martyrs proclaiming Jesus is the Messiah, Whom God raised from the dead.
 
History tells us [1] that before Peter died by crucifixion, he had to watch the crucifixion of his own wife. It is said that as he watched her being led to her death, Peter called to his wife by name and said, “Remember the Lord”! When it was his turn, he pleaded to be crucified upside down because he wasn’t worthy to die as his Lord had died. And so he was nailed to a cross head-downward.
 
Christians living in America today do not experience that level of persecution. Some believers in our world certainly still face grave consequences for being Christians in a hostile country, but America continues to have religious liberty. However, persecution still exists. A believer may not get that promotion because of their faith. They may be looked over for a scholarship. They may face ostracism at work because of their faith. Family members may shun them. Ridicule and slander are aspects of persecution. Fines and prison are threats which can even be pursued by godless forces bent on transforming America in a totally pagan nation. So, Americans should still listen to Peter about how to live in a hostile country.
 
I was reading this past week that former Vice President Mike Pence, himself a devoted Christian, once delivered a message to the graduates at Liberty University and said,
 
"You know, throughout most of American history, it's been pretty easy to call yourself a Christian. It didn't even occur to people that you might be shunned or ridiculed for defending the teaching of the Bible. But things are different now. Some of the loudest voices for tolerance today have little tolerance for traditional Christian beliefs. So as you go about your daily life, just be ready. Because you're going to be asked not just to tolerate things that violate your faith; you're going to be asked to endorse them. You're going to be asked to bow down to the idols of the popular culture.”
 
Pence references 1 Peter 1:13 as he continues: "So you need to prepare your minds for action… You need to show that we can love God and love our neighbor at the same time through words and deeds. And you need to be prepared to meet opposition. As the founder of this university often said, 'No one ever achieved greatness without experiencing opposition'. So… as you strive for greatness, know that you'll face challenges, you'll face opposition. But just know this: If, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you end up in the fire, there'll be another in the fire." [2]
 
Persecution exists all over the world for the Christian who will stand up for his or her beliefs. It has looked different over the years, but it exists nonetheless. We should find strength from God’s Word as we live out our Christian faith in a world that is growing increasingly secular with each passing day. God’s Word is our guide. We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We have the faithful testimony of God’s people throughout centuries to encourage us. Stand strong for Him, and don’t think it strange when you experience persecution for your faith.
 
Dear Lord, I pray for the believers all over the world today who suffer simply because they are trusting You and standing for You. I pray that you would give me courage to stand for You today in my life, at my work, in my school and among my friends, families and coworkers. May I never be ashamed of You. I love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.


[1] Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3:1, 30.

[2] As quoted in Robert Jeffress, Courageous (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2020), 56,57.

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