Key Truths for Christians in Times of Persecution

Key Truths for Christians in Times of Persecution

We ought to obey God rather than men.[1]

Our first priority is to our LORD. Remember, however, this is in all points of the Word and not just our favorite points. We ought to obey God in those areas of Scriptural instruction we personally don’t care for. 

We are to obey every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.[2]

When we disobey laws we dislike but are not in direct violation of the Word of God, we directly violate the Word of God. This spoils our testimony and weakens our argument about obeying God. If we are going to “obey God rather than men” we had better make sure we obey the ordinance of men in every other possible way.

We are to pray for, respect, and (I believe) love[3] those in authority.[4]

Daniel certainly loved Nebuchadnezzar. He had respect for Darius. John Bunyan demonstrated great respect for Judge Wingate.[5]

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

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[1] Acts 5:29 (KJV)

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

[2] 1 Peter 2:13 (KJV)

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

[3] Romans 13:8 (KJV)

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

[4] 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (KJV)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

[5] This is, of course, not an argument from Scripture, but Bunyon’s trial does represent an important document in Baptist history and sets an example for Baptists in times of persecution.

We Are Learning

Recently our church family entered into a trial. A family in the church, who has struggled to contribute to the unity of our church for their entire 16-year membership, created quite a stir, accusing the pastors of possibly misusing church funds (he requested detailed breakdowns of our pay packages) and especially demanding that our associate pastor, the son of the pastor and proposed next lead pastor, be terminated. 

The accusations concerning the funds were publicly and honestly settled by being absolutely transparent. We answered his questions but brought them before the entire congregation (on a Wednesday night service). The two deacons he contacted with his accusations went through the expenses, confirmed that there was no extraordinary spending and that each pastor had received the income approved by the deacons. The accuser admitted it never was about the finances anyway. The demand for the removal of the associate pastor was flatly denied and the man, obviously unrepentant, was given the options of either church discipline (we would not remove his membership but would place limitations on his involvement in the church until he had restored trust. If he abided by those limitations his membership would continue. If he broke them, a disciplinary committee, as outlined in our church's constitution would be assembled and his membership revoked) or his voluntary resignation as a member of our church (our constitution stipulates that this action immediately places him under church discipline and may not receive a letter of transfer from our church). At the meeting, he agreed to the limitations of membership. However, the next day he called the church to say that he and his family would no longer be attending our church.

A trial like this is never pleasant, but there are lessons to be learned. If we are able to grow as believers because of it, God is glorified.

What are we learning? The list might be as varied as the members of our church, but here are some lessons we may hope to receive.

We are learning to trust the Lord

Will he pull us through this? We know the promises of the Word of God. We get to see if they are true.

We are learning to forgive

I think I learned many years ago to forgive the multiple attacks upon my person. These attacks have been directed toward my wife and my son. It’s a new bent on forgiving.

We are learning patience

Patience is perfected in persecution, trial, and tribulation. 

We are learning to love

We are taught to love those who hate us and do us evil. We get the chance to practice it.

We are learning unity

Those who rally to support and defend the attacked become truly precious to us.

Marvin McKenzie
In the fields

Did the Devil Do it?

When my oldest son was very young he did something to get himself in trouble. After his discipline he grew agitated and told me he was mad at the devil for making him do that thing he was in trouble for. I responded by sternly as I recall telling him not blame the devil for that. He had done this thing all in his own. 

A couple of weeks ago I reached out to a preacher friend I knew was facing a trial. I merely said I was praying for him and expressed the sentiment "May God be glorified." He responded to me that people are too quick to give the devil credit for hardships. He believed trials were of God and he was determined only to acknowledge God in his trouble. 

So does the devil do anything or not? Is it God who sovereignly oversees all things so that even trouble is of the Lord?

The answer is yes and yes 

• Yes, the devil does attack, harass, harangue, oppress and try to discourage us
• Yes, the Lord oversees every facet, every aspect of our lives. Nothing happens except that: 
• God knows, 
• God allows and 
• God uses it in His plan

Whether we see the devil in it or the Lord is most often a matter of perspective. It is generally, I think, healthier to attribute all things to God and to trust that He has our best at heart. But there are times when, for whatever reason, we best focus on Satan and give him a sober eye. 

I doubt we ever do well to criticize those who see some circumstance from the opposite perspective as we. Likely there is truth in both perspectives. We would do better to consider the other's perspective so we see the whole picture. 

Why Does The Lord Allow It?

Luke 14:10 KJV
But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

I have been thinking that perhaps the reason that the Lord allows this world to so abuse the Christian faith and to mock spiritual principles is because if He were to make his will be done on earth as it is in heaven, so to speak, sinful man would pervert it into some sort of money making scheme or means of self advancement. We would take to our sinful heart those words in Luke 14:10, "then shalt thou have worship... "and we would fight for the lowest rooms, they would have to build more lowest rooms to accommodate the numbers making their way into them. Perhaps the Lord allows this world to get away with so much evil
• To prove those who will believe without immediate reward and
• To find out those who will do right even when no one acknowledges them for doing it.