Political partisanism or spiritual warfare?
The political violence plaguing our nation is no longer a partisan issue. It’s open season spiritual warfare, cultural and personal, the kind of good versus evil reminiscent of Rome in the early centuries post resurrection. There have been outbursts of such unveiled and unbridled frontal attacks periodically throughout history, but there is something different about today, it is simultaneously worldwide thanks to media and social media.
So, what is our response to this spiritual warfare?
First, Don’t be surprised:
When you stand up and say, “I’m a Christian,” you can expect pushback, resistance, and even persecution. Paul said, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NLT). In Matthew 24:1-14, the disciples ask Jesus what the sign would be of his second coming. In a nutshell, we can summarize his answer with verse 8-9, “8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers (NLT). Hence, it is not surprising that Peter tells me to be sober minded and be on the alert because the devil, like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8, my paraphrase).
Second: Take the following instructions to heart. They are drawn from Jesus and the Apostles.
• Pray for persecutors: Regularly intercede for those who oppose or mistreat you (us). SeekGod to bless them, change their hearts, and draw them to Himself and save their souls(Matt. 5:44)
• Respond with love: Seek opportunities to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness toward those who persecute us, following the example of Christ (Lk. 6:27). Also consider Paul’s injunction from Romans (12:18-21).
• Rejoice in suffering: Choose to find joy and gratitude amid persecution. Why? As Paul, we know that we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ and will also share in His glory (1 Peter 4:12-13; Rom 5:3-4).
• Witness boldly: Continue to share the gospel and testify to Christ’s love and truth, even when faced with opposition or threats (Acts5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 19:9).
• Support one another: Stand in solidarity with the persecuted, locally and globally. (Acts 12:5, Rom 15:3—32, Acts 28:16-31)
• Entrust yourself to God: Under persecution, trust the Providence of God’s who promises care and justice (Prv 3:5-6—also review the WCF Chapter 5), trusting that He will vindicate and reward you in His time (2 Tim 1:12, Romans 12:18-21)
• Forgive and bless: Practice forgiveness towards those who wrong you and seek to bless them through prayer, words, and actions (Matt 5:44, and John 21 for responding to fellow kingdom soldiers who leave you when under persecution).
• Cultivate hope: Fix your eyes on the eternal hope and reward that we have in Christ, which gives us strength to endure present sufferings (Romans 5:3-5; 8:15-23, Titus 2:13, Heb 12:2)
• Pray for strength and employ God’s equipment: Ask God for the courage, discernment, and grace you need to face persecution in a way that honors Him (Eph 6:18-20).
FINALLY: Remember this framework for living. Start the day with this affirmation that the Lord God is in control: This is the day the Lord has made (ordained), let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24). And from the Apostle who was beheaded for his commitment to Jesus, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4).