By: Deacon Renée Beyea (MDiv)
The above words are sobering to anyone, but I suspect particularly for the American church. And even more particularly to us, to pastors. They are to me. For, in the main, persecution is strange, and the American church experiences very little of it. That may be, in part, due to the historical blessing of our Christian culture. If so, the days of such relative peace are numbered. It may also have to do with not being particularly desirous of living a Godly life in Christ Jesus. For the New Testament suggests that persecution is not strange, but rather the norm.
One way the church brings the scorn of the world upon herself is by advocating for life—for the unborn, for the handicapped, the elderly, the vulnerable. Not just when she takes a pro-life position, or signs a resolution or votes accordingly, but really pours herself out for the vulnerable, speaking clearly and taking up the Scriptures’ exhortation to “defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). We live in a world deeply hostile to life, a world that will stand in the way of any real effort to defend it. This is readily apparent in our day, and we can see this in our culture on many levels. And yet, as pastors, we are called to guide and lead the church precisely in this direction.
And it is a costly direction. Which means it is all the more important to take encouragement from Peter’s words. For the reward of defending the vulnerable is not only saving children and sparing mothers and fathers the weight of abortion. Nor is it only the healing of those who have been involved in the taking of vulnerable life, whether actively or passively. While we hope and pray for all of the above, and by God’s grace rejoice when God brings about such fruit, there is much that can bring discouragement in a dark world. Our hope cannot rest on visible success. But God is at work in and through you and your people: “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:13-14). To lead the church in this direction is to lead her to a place where the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon her.
Peter goes on to give great and much needed counsel and encouragement to pastors, for leading God’s people to stand for life will always bring opposition, particularly to pastors:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.