Suffering for Christ (1 Thess. 2:14-16)

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
(1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, NASB)

Have you ever suffered for the name of Jesus Christ? Have you experienced ridicule or persecution? Rejection? Betrayal?

If you have, then you can be assured you’re doing something right.

Jesus told His followers—and that includes us—that they’d suffer persecution, sometimes at the hands of those closest to them (see Matt. 10:16-26).

Paul and James both wrote about trials and tribulations that followers of Christ would go through. In fact, when Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he couldn’t have made it any clearer: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (3:12).

But why do we experience sufferings? Why isn’t the Christian life all rainbows and butterflies?

Because we are at war. We are in a fallen world that craves darkness, and we shine the light of Jesus. And those who live in darkness can’t stand that light. So they do what they can to snuff it out, even when that means snuffing the life out of us.

So if you’re laughed at for reading your Bible or praying, or if others scoff at you for being “naïve,” or if you’re rejected for practicing your faith, remember: You’re not alone. And the God whom you serve in spite of whatever persecution you face will honor your faithfulness with eternal life with Him (see Mark 10:29-31).