“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23)
In the Bible, Jesus warns his followers that there will be a price paid for following him. When we suffer for being Christians, our typical reaction is surprise. Yet when we examine the life of our Lord we should not be surprised at all. He was persecuted. He was mocked. In fact he was killed.
The Apostles and early Christians who followed Christ were likewise often persecuted, mocked, and many were killed. So what has changed in our day? Very little if you look at Christianity worldwide. Although persecution in America may not be at a fever pitch right now, it is in other countries. It’s been said that the 20th century produced more Christian martyrs than all previous centuries combined. Christians are killed every day, just for being Christians. Christians are persecuted. Christians are mocked, just for being Christians. Have you faced any persecution lately? Or perhaps and better question would be: does anyone around you even know you’re a Christian? Do you speak of Christ? Do you act like Christ? Are you actively seeking to follow Christ with your life? If so, then there will be times at which you will suffer at the hands of others because of it. The persecution may be mild in comparison to others, but it will be there nonetheless.
And when it comes, don’t be sad. In fact, Jesus says to rejoice because your reward is great. What better situation could there be than to realize someone hates you…because you love Jesus.
If Christ is not Lord of your life, I encourage you to turn from your sin and place your faith in him today. Don’t fear persecution. In fact you can embrace it. But only if Christ is truly Lord of your life and the Holy Spirit indwells you giving you the daily strength to follow your Lord and suffer for his Name’s sake.