The world neither understands nor appreciates believers’ ways, words and comportment. They see believers as deviants who should be subjected to persecution and suffering. However, unknown to them, their response, instead of weakening believers, strengthens their faith in God. Even soul-saving messages, which convert sinners and transform lives, will also lead to hatred from the world.
Persecution or suffering either builds or breaks. With the right attitude, it brings strength, power and courage, but can crush or weaken when approached with the wrong attitude. Two, braces or bruises. It can brace you up or bruise your attitude or confidence. Three, strengthens or shatters. Four, develops or destroys. Whatever forms the persecution may take, it may develop in you a strong spiritual backbone, real vision and foresight. But it also has the capacity to do harm if it is received with a wrong perspective.
However, many teachers and servants of God overlook the fact that believers can suffer wrongfully, even when consecrated and serving the Lord. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully…” As Christ suffered to reconcile humanity to the Father, His followers, will suffer shame and persecution while bringing others to the Lord. Therefore, Christians should be “partakers of Christ’s sufferings” for the salvation of others.
The reproach on children and servants of God is not in vain; it is for the sake of saving sinners, encouraging other saints to stand strong in their faith, and making steadfast saints to be filled with the Holy Ghost, as well at preparing them for the Lord’s service. If you suffer for this cause, you should rejoice, as it is rewardable. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” Our suffering, in whatever form, will bring glory to God, growth to the church, restoration for backsliders and regeneration for sinners.
Every genuine believer has the support of a good conscience in times of persecution. While suffering as a believer for Christ’s sake, not for evil deeds, you must maintain a good conscience. “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” During persecution, you should examine yourself to understand why you are suffering. A sensitive conscience, which has not lost its voice or feelings, will alert you to suffering for good or evil.
There are many types of conscience: one, evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22). We must ensure that we are saved and “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Two, defiled conscience (Titus 1:15). We must avoid defiling characteristics, and maintain a converted conscience. Three, accusing conscience (Romans 2:15). If we suffer for sinful conduct, our conscience will accuse us of wrongdoing.
Four, convicted conscience (John 8:9). The Jews accused a woman of committing adultery and they wanted to hear Christ’s judgment concerning her deeds. However, the Lord’s response aroused their conscience and they were “convicted by their own conscience.” Five, seared conscience (1Timothy 4:2). After being saved, many people backslide. They depart from the truth of God’s word and often speak “lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” But a person who is genuinely saved has a converted heart and an awakened conscience. Such a person finds it easy to correct past wrongs and maintain a clear conscience towards God and men. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”
Besides, there is need to examine our lives daily to ensure we live and do all things in good conscience. Preachers or saints with good conscience are conscious of making heaven at last. If our service is going to be acceptable and rendered to the living God, the blood of the Lamb must purgeour conscience. A real saint maintains a good conscience, living by faith and truth in the Holy Ghost. As we minister and preach the gospel, we must keep “holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.”
• Further Reading (King James a version): 1 Peter 3:14; 1:6-9; 2:19,20; 3:17,18; 4:1,13-16; 5:1,10. 1Peter 3:16-18; Acts 24:16; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Timothy 1:5; Romans 9:1; 2Corinthians 1:12; 4:2; 1Timothy 1:19; 3:9; Hebrews 13:18.
