Fiery Trials And Tribulations

Feature 2 – July/August 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Fiery Trials And Tribulations

From the death of Abel in Genesis 4:8 to the slaughter of the saints in Revelation 12:13, persecution is common throughout the Bible. Indeed, the apostle Paul states as a matter of principle, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12 KJV ).

This suffering may appear in many different forms. It could be blatantly brutal and obvious or it could be quiet and subtle. As for the first, “Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ... commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated” (Dan. 3:19). By contrast Delilah, after Samson was made weak having been literally shorn of his strength because of his fleshly desires and behavior, “began to afflict him” (Jud. 16:19).

Persecution is generally done publicly that all may fear to follow the Lord. However, where the faith of the saints prevails, this may bring about greater boldness among the faithful. Sometimes the fire of persecution may even prove to be the foundry of promotion. For “the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon” (Dan. 3:30).

Suffering Persecution
Despite the joys of salvation, the Master has explicitly warned believers that “in the world ye shall have tribulation” (Jn. 16:33). Parallel with this, Peter speaks of “the trial of your faith” (1 Pet. 1:7). The same apostle describes this as being a “fiery trial” (1 Pet. 4:12). In other words, persecution will function as a proof of our faith when it separates the saints from those who merely profess salvation. When the flame of tribulation touches the children of the Serpent, then those without faith will flee from the fire (Mt. 3:7; Acts 28:3,5). And for those who suppose that persecution is a thing of the past, we remember Paul’s words to Timothy: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

Forms Of Persecution
There are at least two forms of persecution: verbal and physical. In Genesis, Joseph, who prefigured the Lord Jesus Christ, suffered both kinds of persecution. After his brethren had cast him into a pit, they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him down to Egypt and sold him into slavery. Through this he became a servant in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. However, his master’s wife “cast her eyes upon Joseph” and she rewarded his faithful morality with a false accusation of attempted adultery (Gen. 39:1-17). On the basis of this lie Joseph was cast into prison. But even in custody, Joseph distinguished himself, for “the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it” (Gen. 39:22).

Now in all these things we have a preview of what the Master Himself would suffer. The Son of God, the perfect example of all virtues, was subjected to every form of persecution even as He languished upon the cross and His enemies reviled Him. However, to preempt any acts of revenge the Lord commanded, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). In other words, “Christian” revenge is never an option. When Joseph effectually became an under-Pharoah he did not prosecute those who had persecuted him. Rather, he showed extreme kindness to the children of Jacob who had sold their brother into slavery. Likewise he fed the children of the Egyptians who had cast him into prison. After his brethren had repented of their wickedness, he forgave them with tears in his eyes and caused them to be established in Egypt (Gen. 42:24; 45:10-11).

Instigators Of Persecution
Those without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ deny all when they are “persecuted,” and it is those of the same group, the children of wrath, who instigate the affliction on the true servants of God. Therefore we read: “He that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now” (Gal. 4:29). The pronoun “he” does not, of course, exclude wicked women; for when John the Baptist denounced Herod’s adulterous marriage to his brother Philip’s wife, then Herodius conspired to murder John (Mt. 14:3; Mk. 6:24). God’s righteous servant was cast into prison and beheaded for daring to preach what was right!

We also see that only the righteous can be persecuted, while the wicked can only be punished for sin. The Son of God suffered torture upon the cross being persecuted while the two criminals were crucified for their own sins. Therefore the repentant thief confessed “we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss” (Lk. 23:41).

Proof Of Our Faith
While it is easy to praise God when all is well, the reality of our faith can only be proved by fire – like those who purify precious metal. Peter teaches that faith can only be proved real when it is tested by persecution: “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7). May God grant us grace to endure every fiery trial to the glory of God!

By Tom Summerhill

SUFFERING The twofold persecutions of Matthew 5:10-12, suffering for righteousness’ sake and suffering for Christ’s sake are two perfectly distinct things. Where it is a question of righteousness it is simply that I am brought to a point when, if I do not stand and suffer there, my conscience will be defiled. This is in no way suffering for Christ’s sake. Suffering for Christ’s sake is not a question of plain sin, but it is associated with His grace and its claims on my heart. Desire for His truth and for His glory carries me out into a certain path that exposes me to suffering. I might merely do my duty as a Christian in the place where I am put; but grace is never satisfied with the bare performance of one’s duty. God forbid that we should be merely shut up to duty and not be free for the flowing over of His grace. In the one case the believer stops dead short: if he did not stand, there would be sin. In the other case there is a testimony for Christ, and grace makes one rejoice to be counted worthy of suffering for His name. —William Kelly, Introductory Lectures On Matthew