Vice President Mike Pence’s commencement speech at Liberty University left the news media saturated with headlines about his ‘warning’ to the Christian university’s graduates to “prepare to be ridiculed” or to “be ready” for persecution. Those graduates who are Christians should be familiar enough with their Bibles to know that his words weren’t just hollow rhetoric. Peter tells his fellow believers:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13
John tells believers, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” – 1 John 3:13
Likewise, Jesus told Peter, James, John and Andrew that they would be “hated by all” for His name’s sake as they sat on the Mount of Olives. These are just a few examples. Anyone who knows the Scriptures isn’t surprised by Christian persecution.
Christian persecution is not new, and neither is the idea that it will be on the rise here in the United States. We can pray that it doesn’t increase here or anywhere else in the world, all the while knowing and being thankful the gospel still advances in times of persecution, often greatly. And we can pray that it actually ends in the places it’s happening right now, and for the protection and peace of those who are suffering from it in the meantime.
But Scripture shows us something even more important that we can pray for in times of persecution, even for those whose very lives are threatened. We should pray that we and all of our brothers and sisters throughout the world can “hold the line” when persecution comes. “Hold the Line” means to firmly maintain one’s viewpoint, principles, or situation, and to refuse to change one’s practice or plans.
Paul encouraged the Philippian church to stand firm while he was in prison:
“Only let your manner of life be worthyof the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” – Philippians 1:27-29
Peter encouraged the persecuted church to continue to glorify God and to entrust their souls to the Creator:
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”– 1 peter 4:14-19
The author of Hebrews was writing to believers who were being persecuted, had seen their fellow Christians’ suffering, and who faced the real possibility of dying because of their beliefs, causing some of them to consider returning to Judaism. The author of Hebrews pleads with them to “hold the line” repeatedly:
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”– Hebrews 4:14-16
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:23
Glorifying God by standing firm in our beliefs, even to the point of martyrdom, is the most important thing we can do when faced with persecution. So, when persecution comes let’s encourage each other, continue meeting together, and spur one another on to love and good deeds. And at that time, and for those to whose doorstep persecution has already come, we pray that all of us will “hold the line” and glorify God, fully entrusting our souls to the Creator!
“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!” Luke 6:22
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” – Matthew 5:11
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