Matt. 10:16-23; 1 Pt. 2:11-17, Believer’s Handbook (4)

·        Three reasons for persecution, v16,18,22.

o   First, we are as sheep among wolves.  The picture is of sheep among those who deceitfully approach them so they can satisfy their cravings.  They are often wolves in sheep’s clothing, but they are vicious, unrelenting and smart.  We live among people who do not want to be reminded of their guilt (thus we are called fundamentalists).  We live among people who don’t want to be told there is only one way to God (thus we are called bigots). 

o   Second, we bear the name of Christ.  This is really the bottom line.  People don’t like the followers of Christ because they don’t like Christ.  It is possible that sometimes believers are opposed simply because they are obnoxious.  Peter warned about this, suffering because of wrong-doing (1 Pt. 3:17; 4:15).  But opposition will be greatest when we are at our best, being most like Christ.

o   Third, we suffer opposition because we need the opportunity for a testimony.  When we suffer for Christ the world has the best opportunity to see us under pressure and to see what is so great about those who love and follow Christ.  Remember that the Greek term for testimony is “marturion”, the term where we get the word martyr.  That is why, in the 1 Peter passage of today’s reading, Peter could speak of suffering as the will of God (2:15).  How we follow Christ, even to death, is a means of putting to silence the ignorance of foolish men.  We see this in Jesus Himself, how that the opposition of the religious leaders gave the people the opportunity to consider Jesus’ claims.  Read this in John 9:16 where the giving of sight to the blind man created division.  This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath versus how can a man who is a sinner do such signs?  And there was a division among them.  Peter spoke of this in today’s passage as did Paul in Phil. 1:27-30.  Paul said God has given us this opportunity, not only to believe but also to suffer for His sake.  It brings out clearly the eternal realities of both perdition (judgment for those who reject Christ) and salvation (for those who receive Christ). 

Therefore, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:12-13).