When Suffering Was a Trophy
To the early church, persecution wasn’t bad PR — it was proof the Gospel was working. If the wrath of Rome came down on you, it meant heaven had noticed your faith, and hell had noticed your impact. The believers didn’t view suffering as a punishment; they considered it a privilege and a sign that they were walking in the footsteps of their Savior.
But today, many churches see persecution as something to be avoided at all costs. When Christians in the modern world face suffering or opposition, they often view it as a sign that something went wrong. The early Christians, however, viewed it as a sign they were doing something right.
Biblical Foundations for Embracing Persecution
- Jesus (Matthew 5:11–12): “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
- Peter and John (Acts 5:41): After being persecuted, they rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:41)
- Paul (Philippians 1:29): “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” (Philippians 1:29)
In these verses, we see that suffering for Christ was considered a blessing. The early church understood that to be persecuted for the sake of Christ was a divine privilege, one that they willingly embraced.
Historic Witness of the Early Church
The early church did not view persecution as an unfortunate inconvenience. They saw it as their duty and honor to suffer for Christ. Here are examples of those who embodied this mindset:
- The Martyrs of Lyons (177 AD): Christians in Lyons, after enduring extreme torture, wrote that their chains were “necklaces of gold” and their wounds “badges of Christ”. They counted their suffering as a means of sharing in the glory of Christ.
- Ignatius of Antioch: On his way to be martyred by lions, he wrote letters urging Christians not to attempt to rescue him. He saw his death as the completion of his discipleship, not a tragedy.
- Tertullian (c. 200 AD): Famously declared, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
These believers didn’t merely endure persecution; they embraced it as a badge of honor and a means of partnering with Christ in His suffering.
Why This Mindset Is Alien to Us Today
In contrast, modern Christianity often treats persecution as something to be avoided at all costs. We equate God’s favor with comfort, popularity, and safety. Yet the early church assumed the opposite:
- If the world applauded them, they were suspicious.
- If the world opposed them, they knew they were on the right track.
This is radically different from how many Christians today approach their faith. We fear loss of reputation, fear ridicule, and fear being uncomfortable. But the early believers feared the opposite: they feared fitting in too comfortably with the world around them.
The Spiritual Economics of Persecution
Persecution doesn’t destroy the Church — it purifies it. It burns away nominal faith, self-centered religion, and shallow commitment. And that’s why in persecuted nations like China, Iran, and North Korea, the underground Church grows with astonishing strength, while in free nations, Christianity is often in decline.
A 2023 Open Doors report noted that the 50 most dangerous countries for Christians have seen the fastest growth in faith communities. Why? Because when faith costs you something, you treasure it.
Here in the West, many Christians have embraced a faith that costs them nothing. But in persecuted nations, faith is priceless. These believers often display a level of commitment that we, in our comfortable circumstances, have lost sight of.
Lessons for the Modern Church
The early church offers us invaluable lessons about how to handle persecution and opposition in today’s world. But modern Christians often invite unnecessary persecution. For example, a lady received Christ but stopped doing all household chores. The only thing she did was lock herself up and pray. If her parents denied her food, she would come back to the fellowship, claiming she was being persecuted. This is not true persecution—it’s self-inflicted drama.
Another example involves a brother who heard rumors about a woman’s wrongdoings and decided to confront her. He went to her shop early, set up a megaphone, and began condemning her. Naturally, she nearly threw hot oil at him. He returned to the fellowship, reporting that he had been “persecuted.” This is not what Christ intended.
Persecution will come naturally. We need not invite it by acting foolishly or seeking attention. Here’s how we can genuinely embrace persecution without seeking it out:
- Stop fearing loss of reputation: Jesus promised hatred from the world. We must stop seeking the world’s approval. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18)
- See opposition as validation: If you’re confronting darkness, darkness will push back. “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
- Prepare the next generation: Equip young believers to expect ridicule, not avoid it. They should not be shocked into silence when persecution inevitably comes.
- Pray for courage, not comfort: The early church didn’t pray for persecution to end. They prayed for boldness to face it. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29)
The Hidden Mystery
Persecution is not proof that God has abandoned His people. Often, it is His seal that they belong to Him. “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ.” (1 Peter 4:12–13)
Hell only fights what heaven favors. When we endure persecution for Christ’s name, we stand as a witness to His glory.
Note;
The early church didn’t view persecution as a curse—they saw it as a gift, a badge of honor. They embraced it as a sign of partnership with Christ. Today, we must recover that mindset. Persecution will come naturally as we remain faithful to Christ. We don’t need to invite it; we simply need to stand firm and trust in God’s faithfulness through it.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
When persecution comes, don’t seek to avoid it, but ask for the courage to face it with boldness. And remember: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” (Tertullian)
How do you handle persecution in your life? Are you inviting unnecessary struggles, or are you standing firm in your faith? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this post with others who need this message of strength.
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