THE blatant maligning of Biblical Christianity by some sections of the media underlines the fact that the followers of Christ must be constantly and humbly dependant on divine grace to stand fast and not succumb to the fear of man. They are exhorted to be looking to Jesus in the midst of all their trials, so that they will run the race that is set before them and be more than conquerors through Him.
The believer must be looking to Christ to keep him from evading suffering as a Christian by compromising with the world. He knows that if there is no cross here there can be no crown hereafter; he seeks to be obedient to the call of the Master: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” He realises that there must be no let up in watching and praying, lest he weakly succumbs to joining hands with the enemies of Christ in order to escape their cruel taunts and barbs.
In watching against sinfully yielding to the pressures of the world the believer learns more and more that in himself he is weak, and that if left to himself he will even deny the Saviour. Who would have thought that warmhearted and zealous Peter would have collapsed under the challenge of a servant girl, and deliberately disowned his Master with an oath, saying, “I do not know the man.” Are we going to fare better? Certainly not, if we be left to ourselves. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
It is especially in time of suffering as a Christian that one is to look to the Keeper of Israel for preservation. The apostle Paul did so. “For which cause I also suffer these things:” he said, “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
Suffering for the sake of Christ also includes, of course, not being ashamed of Him. It was Peter himself who wrote these divinely inspired words, “If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” Peter had learned a lesson not only by divine teaching but also by bitter experience. When the believer capitulates to the fear of man which brings a snare, he must seek grace to be truly ashamed of being ashamed, and to sorrow over his succumbing to mere men. What a great blessing Peter received in being brought to weep bitterly.
Peter had also learned that standing fast and suffering as a Christian would result in great blessing, now and hereafter. “If ye be reproached for the sake of Christ, happy are ye,” he said. And why should one be happy or blessed in having such a trial? Peter answers, “For the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.” “That is,” says Poole, “the glorious Spirit of God, or that Spirit of God who is likewise the Spirit of glory in being not only glorious in Himself, but also a glory to them in whom He dwells, and the cause of their future glorification.”
It was this prospect of the future glory of the redeemed which strengthened and gladdened the Apostle Paul, and lightened his load of tribulation. “I reckon,” he said, “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
The believer, as he seeks to live godly in Christ Jesus and consequently suffers persecution (2 Tim.3:12), is to rejoice even. “How can one do that?” asks the child of God, as he faces the burning fury of his persecutors? “Beloved,” answers Peter, “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
The Saviour directs the attention of His persecuted people to the heavenly reward as a ground of rejoicing now. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
It is solemnly true that persecution is in the path of believers, but also it is gloriously true that their Saviour is with them in that path, and therefore they are to be of good cheer. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
The believer is promised the present presence of the Lord, as well as future glory. How great is the comfort ministered to the afflicted soul of the tried child of God when Christ says to it by His Word, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not over flow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”