When one is converted to Christ and begins to live godly in Him, persecutions of all kinds are
usually heaped upon him. Often relatives and loved ones turn against him. Jesus said, "Do not
think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have
come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against
her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household." (Matt. 10:34-36).
Often the first to place undesirable terms on the new converts are their own close friends and
companions. "In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same
flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you." (1 Pet. 4:4).
Persecutions, whatever they may be, must be endured. We cannot place our relatives and loved
ones above the Lord (Matt. 10:37). We must carry our cross daily (Luke 9:23). We will be hated
of all men for his name's sake, but we must endure (Matt. 10:22). We will have sore tribulations,
but we must be faithful to death (Rev. 2:10). "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him." (2
Tim. 2:12).
We should never be ashamed for suffering as Christians. "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let
him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." (1 Pet. 4:16). Jesus said, "For
whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He
comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26).
Persecutions must be endured with patience. "But when you do good and suffer, if you take it
patiently, this is commendable before God." (1 Pet. 2:20). "...Knowing that tribulation produces
perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom. 5:3-4).
Let us count it a great honor and privilege to be allowed to take part in the afflictions of Christ. The apostles rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41). The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed (Rom. 8:18). "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor. 4:17).