HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 253
page A251
• G A L AT I A NS 5 :1 1 | If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ,
no one would be offended.
The bold message that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus threatens those who
believe that their own good works are enough to get to heaven.
• A C T S 1 7 :7 | “And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason
against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”
Because Christians give their ultimate allegiance to God, they have sometimes been
accused of treason when their government orders them to do something that violates
the commands of God.
Where can I find hope when I am persecuted?
• A C T S 5 :4 1 | The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy
to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 1 :2 9 | For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but
also the privilege of suffering for him.
• MAT T H E W 5 :1 1 | “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie
about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”
Jesus promises special blessings to those who are persecuted.
• PSA L M 1 1 0 :1 | The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until
I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”
• R E VE L AT I O N 2 1 :3 -4 | I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is
now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will
be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or
sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
God will defeat his enemies. You may be persecuted now, but your side will be victorious,
many will come to know Jesus through your efforts, and your persecution will not be in vain.
How should Christians respond to persecution?
• PSA L M 6 9 :1 , 4 | Save me, O God. . . . Those who hate me without cause outnumber the
hairs on my head.
Prayer is a powerful response in times of persecution. Pray to God, the only one who can
give you the strength you need to endure.
• A C T S 1 4 :1 9 -2 0 | They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.
But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town.
Paul’s courageous response to persecution enabled him to encourage others. Courage to
endure persecution is contagious.
• L U K E 6 :2 8 | “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
A supernatural love—one that flows from God—allows believers to actually pray for those
who persecute them. It may be through your godly response to their persecution that God
touches a hard heart and turns it to him.
• J O H N 1 9 :1 0 -1 1 | “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from
above.” (See note on page 975.)
Always keep in mind that even the greatest power of the rulers on this earth is no match
for the power of God.
HelpFinder
If you are being persecuted for your faith, be encouraged by the fact that many other faithful believers are also standing strong in the face of persecution. The Bible encourages you
to see persecution for Jesus’ sake as an honor. It is evidence of the depth of your commitment to Jesus and, therefore, a privilege to suffer for the God you love so much. It also
helps you identify with the depth of suffering Jesus went through for you.
P
• 1 PE T E R 4 :1 3 | Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his
suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to
all the world.