The more I become like Jesus, the more flak I can expect.
The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy:
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” [2Tim. 3:12]
And Jesus Himself reminded His faithful disciples during their last supper:
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me first. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, and [because] I chose you from out of the world—because of this, the world hates you…
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘[A] slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.” [Jn. 15:18-20a]
A slave cannot be exempt from the consequences of obedience [1] to his master. But just like obedience, persecution can also take on a subtle nature. And, for the most part, in this hemisphere anyway, the persecution of Christ’s disciples hasn’t yet risen to the level of bloodshed.
But it still hurts. And rejection seems to be the weapon of choice.
It’s wielded with a tongue rather than a sword. As a result, we often lose relationships, opportunities and even jobs. But the tongue has two sharp edges as well. The faded reticence of a lifelong friend also cuts like a knife.
Yet it rarely unfolds as an emotional spectacle with regrets. Instead, the deafening silence takes captive what once seemed precious and genuine and reduces it into a fleeting memory.
That’s the type of persecution that’ll destroy us if we let it.
So, today I encourage every reader to take up his cross and drag it confidently and passionately through the mud of this age. [see: Heb. 12:1-2]
For the next age is on the horizon, and, the last time I read, it’s still a privilege to suffer!
“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…” [Phil. 1:29a]