Many countries in the world today pride themselves on their policy of so-called “religious freedom.” It is fair to say that this idea really originated in the Christian world, where the separation of church and state was practiced and where, within the limits of the public good, the individual was allowed to worship “each according to the dictates of his own conscience.” This attitude has taken root in some other parts of the world where diversity of religion exists, but it has also been forced on some countries by economic considerations, where wealthy and influential nations have made international trade agreements dependent on the allowing of religious freedom. We can be thankful for this, while recognizing that in many parts of the world, religious minorities continue to be downtrodden and persecuted. In still other nations, while they may declare themselves “secular countries,” yet in practice the “official” religion takes precedence, and those who espouse different religious beliefs are discounted and disadvantaged.
Piety — Godliness
Many of us who live in lands where religious freedom has been enjoyed for many years, when we hear the word “persecution,” tend to think of areas of the world where believers are subjected to such things as the loss of privileges, loss of livelihood, confiscation of property, physical abuse, imprisonment, and even martyrdom. Yet, when we read the Word of God, we find the clear and unmistakable statement that “all indeed who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12 JND). What does this mean for those who live in lands where they can easily obtain an education, pursue a career, raise a family, and generally, as Scripture says, “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:2)?
The Christian World
We can be most thankful if we live in a part of the world where we may worship the Lord freely, but let us not be under any illusions. The so-called Christian world is no more accepting of the name of Christ than the heathen world. I would suggest that the Word of God is unfailingly true and that the key word in the verse quoted above (2 Tim. 3:12) is “piously,” or “godly.” To live piously or godly in this world is not, as another has said, merely to lead a good, morally upright life and then to go to heaven at the end. To be sure, the believer should indeed do all of that, but merely doing so will not bring the “reproach of Christ” (Heb. 11:2626Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:26)) or “the offense of the cross” (Gal. 5:1111And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. (Galatians 5:11)). No, the world is happy to have those who exhibit Christian virtues such as honesty, integrity, industry and philanthropy, and it will accord them its praise and respect. What then does it mean to live piously?
A Chaste Virgin
First of all, Paul could remind the Corinthians (who wanted to enjoy this world as well as being Christians) that “I have espoused you ... as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). If we recognize that we are the bride of Christ and walk and talk as such, we will soon find that the world in which we live has not only rejected Christ, but it actually hates Him. If we speak of Him as our Saviour and confess His name publicly, we will soon find that we do not fit in this world. To live in a godly or pious way in this world is to display God’s character. Christ did this perfectly, and He was rejected. He could remind His disciples, “If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:2020Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20)).
Children of Light
Second, Paul also reminds us to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)). This surely means that we are to be living witnesses of the light that God has given us. But in doing so, we will find that “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light” (Eph. 5:1313But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:13)). While He was on earth, the Lord Jesus could say, “The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” (John 7:77The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. (John 7:7)). The world will often gladly accept a Christian who displays right values and principles, but it will not tolerate those who tell men that they are not only sinners, but lost and helpless sinners.
Our Testimony
To carry this out in a practical way requires courage. Two true stories come to mind, one concerning a young man who took an office job with a large company. Wanting to honor His Lord and Saviour, he placed his Bible on his desk on his first day of work. During the day, another employee saw the Bible, and during the ensuing conversation he remarked to the new employee, “I’m a Christian too, but don’t tell anyone.” In another situation, a young believer was sent to work for several months in a somewhat isolated logging camp. When he arrived back home, another believer who knew him asked, “How did you get along as a Christian in that logging camp? Those camps are often pretty rough places for a Christian to work.” His reply was, “I don’t think they even suspected that I was a Christian.”
Avoiding Reproach
Such stories could be multiplied, but they show us what is all too common among believers today in countries with religious freedom — namely, that we can avoid reproach by not confessing Christ. We are told in Ephesians 5:1111And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11) to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to do this. We must remember the exhortation, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:66Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:6)). The salt of reproof should be a seasoning, with the main message being the grace of God. This requires wisdom that comes only from the Lord.
Our Heavenly Calling
Third, to live piously means that we display practically our heavenly calling, which effectively separates us from the ambitions and plans of this world and will bring its reproach. Again, those of us who enjoy religious freedom may well ask ourselves if those with whom we live and move recognize this heavenly calling in our lifestyle. But the believer who really appreciates and lives in the good of his “calling on high of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:1414I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) JND) will soon find that he follows a rejected Christ. He will experience a distancing — a lack of fellowship, not only with the world, but also with worldly Christians.
Satan’s Work
Satan has done a good job of bringing Christianity down to the level of this world and making it a force for social good, in order to “make the world a better place.” To become involved in all this brings respect and recognition from the world, but it is not true Christianity. Paul could have avoided the offense of the cross by allowing Judaism and its principles into his ministry, and today this same tendency translates into “covenant” or “reconstruction” theology. To go into detail on the subject is not the purpose of this article, but suffice it to say that this kind of thinking brings the believer down to the level of this world, gives him license to take part in “reconstructing” that which God has placed under judgment, and destroys the present hope of the Lord’s coming. This is why Paul, when he first went to Corinth, could say, “I did not judge it well to know anything among you save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2 JND). His preaching was not “with enticing words of man’s wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:4), for this would have appealed to their worldly hearts. No, he preached a rejected and crucified Christ, in order that their faith “should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). Such preaching is not popular today.
Rejection and Shunning
If we are willing to face the world’s reproach, we will find that indeed we will be persecuted. Not only will this take the form of rejection and shunning, but more subtle ways will often be found by the world in order to register its dislike of the Christian. I knew a believer who was passed over for a well-deserved promotion in his work, despite the fact that he was by far the most qualified person for the job. His boss commented to him at the time, “We would gladly have given you the position, but you are just too good a man!” By this he meant that the brother’s moral uprightness would have made him refuse to do certain things that the job inevitably required. In other situations, the believer may be discriminated against behind the scenes or perhaps “stabbed in the back” by those who do not like him. In most cases it will be obvious what is happening, although usually nothing can be proven.
Spiritual Power
Three aspects of persecution should encourage us, however. First of all, there will be power, spiritual power, with the believer who is walking with the Lord. He will have “a mouth and wisdom,” which his adversaries “shall not be able to gainsay nor resist” (Luke 21:1515For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (Luke 21:15)). An unbeliever once commented about a believer who worked in his company, saying, “That man carries a Bible in his pocket, and I am more afraid of that than if he carried a gun!”
Facing Uncertainty
Second, we do not know what lies ahead and how long the present freedom of worship may exist in so-called Western countries. We may see these liberties eroded, as the tide of public feeling escalates against the name of Christ. However, it could be said of the only One who knew what lay ahead of Him, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)). There was a joy connected in doing the Father’s will; the end of the pathway was certain glory, and thus He could despise the shame. So it will be for us, even if the pathway grows more difficult.
Prayer
Third, let us remember that we are told to “pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matt. 5:4444But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)). We never know when the Lord may step in and save them! While Satan may seem to have the upper hand, he never wins, for God turns it all to His glory. When a wave of persecution arose after the stoning of Stephen, the resultant scattering of believers only spread the gospel further. More than this, God put His finger on the worst one responsible — Saul of Tarsus — and, as it were, said, “Then you will come and take his place!” Then God made of Saul an even greater servant than Stephen. Such is the grace of God, and despite the opposition of man, He will never be frustrated in His purposes.
In summary, then, we must realize that the believer is an unwanted ambassador in this world, but one who has been left here by the Lord, to seek after His interests in this world and to be a living witness of the grace that brought him to Christ. He will suffer persecution, but as another has said, “Never fear persecution; it will make your face shine like an angel.” In all such suffering, we are to “rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).
W. J. Prost