In class last week, my students read articles and gave reports on persecution occuring in many countries around the world. At the end of each presentation, the student was asked to share what we can learn from our brothers and sisters who are living for Jesus in difficult places. These young Americans were astounded at the stories of courage and perseverance despite physical beatings, imprisonment, and murder of friends and family members. Many contrasted Christians full of faith, hope, and love with what is witnessed in their own culture: shallow faith, lack of passion, and little mention of hope. The most common ‘lesson’ mentioned, however, seemed to conflict with these sentiments of admiration. “We should be thankful we live in a place where we can practice our religion without fear of persecution.” Of course I agree we are to give thanks for all blessings, but the more I heard teenagers honestly reflect on present day persecution, the more I questioned which Christians are truly blessed.
I have a good friend who is one of the most successful basketball coaches in the state of Georgia. Every season he seeks out the toughest schedule for his team to play. This year his team has been on the losing end of several close games and presently has a mediocre record. But the coach knows what he is doing. By playing the toughest competition he is preparing his team to win a state championship. (His teams have won the last two years.) If a coach with an easier schedule boasted about being undefeated while demolishing every opponent, my friend would just smile and think, “Yeah, but your team is not prepared to win a championship because when you face the tough team at the end of the season you won’t be able to withstand the pressure.”
Hope should be an important word for every Christian. Hope is more than a wish; it rests in our faith which involves confident anticipation. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb 11:1) Paul explains that hope can actually flow from suffering: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Rom 5:2-4) The wise coach is willing for his team to suffer loss now in order to learn to persevere and get stronger. It is interesting that often the locations where more people are entering the Kingdom are in places of persecution. With their own lives on the line, many are boldly sharing the gospel with those that are lost. “Christ gave himself for you; now give yourself to Christ! Yes, it will cost you all you have, but He is worth it!”
The comment that probably bothered me most last week went something like this: “We don’t really have to depend on God in our country, but these Christians have to depend on God every day.” So who has the advantage? What should we do? Should we all board a plane for North Korea and endure a little persecution? These are the questions high school students ask. I pray their teacher gives some good answers: “Our hope is in the One who has saved us… and He is far wiser than any basketball coach. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith and we are to totally trust him and obey what He tells us to do. God has assigned the time and the place we were born. He has a purpose for each of us and that purpose is realized the more we seek first his Kingdom. The Christians in hostile areas do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against powers and spiritual forces of this dark world. The devil hates the sold-out Christian in our country just as much as anyone. Ask God to help you grow in faith. Ask him to show you how to depend on him more and more. Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you daily with God’s love. Beware of the constant distractions that pull us away from him. Draw close to God and get to know him. Opposition will eventually rise up as you seek him first. Perhaps not the exact type you’ve read about in foreign lands, but, believe me, you will face trials. And when you do, don’t shrink back, but praise God. Ask him to help you persevere through every difficulty. You will find that God is faithful and He will allow you to help others along the way.”
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” II Thess 1:3-5