During a recent Bible study, the passage we were considering included this verse from the apostle Paul: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3.12 NIV). Paul made this statement as he shared how he had gone through many difficult and dangerous experiences because of his faith and in the course of his service to Christ (2 Timothy 3.10-11). In the past a biblical verse such as this did not seem too threatening to me, since, in the environments where I have lived most of my life, persecution because of my faith appeared so remote.
But after the Bible study that evening, as I was browsing through the news on my tablet, I came across the account of how 12 Christians were thrown overboard by 15 others who did not share their faith. They drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the passengers were migrant refugees on their way from Libya, intending to seek asylum in Italy. But when the inflatable rubber dinghy seemed in danger of sinking, everyone started praying to their own gods. And somehow there were those who felt praying to a god not their own was unacceptable. They chose to turn against the Christians.
This is not an isolated case. It seems similar attacks against followers of Christ is on the rise, and is all over the news. There’s the intentional targeting of Christians in a school in Kenya, where around 148 were killed in that attack. And who can ignore the consistent and reprehensible actions of the group known as ISIS? One of the most disturbing actions of ISIS was the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians in a mass execution. They even released a video of their brutal action.
One preacher, upon seeing the ISIS video, shared this reflection: “There are people today literally giving their lives for their faith, and I’m not even willing to be embarrassed for mine” (Brandon Gwinn). He had tended to assume that persecution was something of the past, something to be relegated to New Testament times.
But the wave of recent news reports has a way of revising our perceptions. What Paul wrote and what Jesus himself taught (John 15.20) is so real. Even in places where Christianity used to enjoy significant acceptance, there now seems to be a growing hostility toward things considered Christian—like values and behavior. Right now, it may feel only “embarrassing” to hold on to values and conduct that we consider essential to our faith. And already we are intimidated, tempted to keep our faith hidden. Oh that the grace of our Lord will give us the strength to stay faithful!
—Keith Y. Jainga