1 Corinthians 4 Lesson

ALL CHRISTIANS WILL BE PERSECUTED

Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith? 

If you answered “no” to this question, do you think that you are likely to be persecuted because of your faith at some point in the future? 

If you answered no to both questions, consider the following scripture:

• “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12.

We understand from this scripture that all Christians will be persecuted. 

DEFINING PERSECUTION

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary,the definition of the word persecution is:

• “To harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.”
• “To cause to suffer because of belief.”

REACTING TO PERSECUTION

Sadly, there are people in this world who wish to harm others strictly because of their faith in Jesus.  This is nothing new.  It has been happening for over 2,000 years! 

How we react when we are persecuted can have a powerful impact on others and can also be a wonderful opportunity to glorify God.    

When we are persecuted, we want to have the conviction of The Apostle Paul who said:

• “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” -Acts 21:13.

As Christians, we need to balance the conviction of Paul with the gentleness of Jesus who said:

• “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” –Mathew 5:38-39. 

LOVING OUR ENEMIES

It is human nature to struggle with the concept of loving our enemies. 

Yet the scriptures tell us that is what God wants us to do.

Loving our enemies can only happen when we stop looking at things from an earthly perspective and begin to look at them in a Spiritual way. 

Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans:

• “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2.

Jesus said:

• “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” –Mathew 5:44.

LEAVE THE VENGEANCE TO GOD

Jesus kept on teaching all the way to the cross.  

In the most difficult of circumstances, Jesus showed humility and taught us to turn the other cheek.

It is not our place to retaliate.  

If there is vengeance to be served, God will serve it, not us.  

The Bible has a lot to say about vengeance. For today’s lesson, we have highlighted the following two scriptures:

1. "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” –Romans 12:19,
2. "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.    If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also." – Mathew 5:38-40.

Jesus is God’s only Son.  

He is deity!  

He could have called 10,000 angels to set Him free.     And yet when they chanted, ‘Crucify Him!’ He did not defend Himself.   When they slapped Him, He did not fight back.  

None of us will ever be put in the situation that Jesus was in.   All of us, however, will be tested!  

From time to time, we will find ourselves in situations where people are treating us poorly, and we may get the urge to retaliate in some way.   The Bible teaches us not to do that.  

Jesus tells us that instead of retaliating when we are wronged, we are to “turn the other cheek.”  Consider the following scripture:

• "Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them." –Deuteronomy 32:35.   

Once again, vengeance does not belong to us; it belongs to God.”

PERSEVERANCE

With adversity comes opportunities to persevere and to glorify God!

Whatever we are going through, we are never alone.

God is always there with us!

At times, our problems may seem overwhelming.  It is in these times that we need to remember the following two scriptures:

1. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” -1 Corinthians 10:13,
2. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33.

HOPE IN JESUS

When persecution comes, we cannot put our hopes in the things of this world.  That is a recipe for disaster! 

When we are at our weakest, that is when we need to remember the hope that we have in Jesus!

Jesus said during His Sermon On The Mount:

• “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” -Mathew 5:10-12.

What a comforting scripture that is to reflect on!

CONCLUSION

The Bible teaches us that all Christians are going to be persecuted because of their faith. (2 Timothy 3:12)

When that happens, we are not to take vengeance or retaliate in any way. 

What God wants us to do, is to follow the example of Jesus who taught us to:

1. Turn the other cheek,
2. Bless those who persecute us.

If there is any vengeance to be taken, it will come from God, not us. 

With each act of persecution comes an opportunity for us to persevere. 

God will never give us more than we can handle and will always provide a way to escape. 

Our job is to keep believing and to continue to put our trust in God.

If we do that, if we keep the faith, our reward in Heaven will be great!

The glory of heaven will far exceed any struggles we had during our time on Earth.   

Life’s struggles and pain are temporary.

Heaven is forever!

We will end today’s lesson with the following words written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy. 

These are the same words that we hope to be able to say ourselves when our time on earth is done:

• “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:7-8.