A persecuted faith does not fade away. It grows stronger. The persecuted Church demonstrates that reality under oppressive regimes like Nigeria and Iran, among others. Under the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, we carry the heritage of a godly justice system and foundation. We have not even faced much pushback for our beliefs until the obvious rise of socialism and Marxism in the last few decades. History tells us what always follows. First division, then a rise in hatred, violence, and murder. 

As a result, we are not well-trained to withstand much opposition. Live and let live is the American way of life. But truth will always disrupt and expose the cracks in a foundation. Truth will always oppose lies. When our faith in Jesus becomes a threat to the control of any government or any segment of society, trouble will get stirred up. It will be challenged and eventually persecuted. This is not the kind of message we want to hear.

Light and darkness do not mix. There is no peaceful coexistence with evil. Paul identified with those like the Thessalonian Church, who suffered greatly for their beliefs at the hands of their own countrymen. Paul wrote them, noting his own personal journey:

“For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last” (I Thessalonians 2: 15-16). 

The troubles the Thessalonians experienced were so severe that Paul sent Timothy to help them avoid being shaken by what they were going through. He wrote, “But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5). 

I now have a new perspective on Paul when I read about warnings like, “we are destined for such troubles.” Paul had been on the other side. He knew what it was like to be the persecutor and murderer. He knew what it was like to be so blind, so lost, so void of love. He knew hatred masked in self-righteous beliefs. 

Then, he had an encounter with the Messiah, Jesus, who had suffered a tortured death at the hands of men just like Paul. Their hatred was no surprise to him. 

Like Paul, I know where I have come from and what I have been saved from. I would not trade truth for lies. I would not trade love for hatred. I would not trade sight for blindness. 

When I experience opposition, I always choose forgiveness and blessings, but I also find myself responding with more compassion from the heart, because I see what God saved me from.

I find myself less afraid to risk being misunderstood. I find myself growing bolder in speaking the truth in love when I run into troubles. My desire for both justice and mercy is increasing. Lives are at stake, their sins are piling up, and before they enter eternity, I also want them to encounter Jesus.