“Lord Jesus, help us understand and accept that though the world knows that we have not done anything wrong, they will persecute us. This is an enigma. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 2:46-47 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (47) praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
We began considering that the Christian life is an enigma. We will be persecuted for seeking to live a godly life in Christ Jesus, at the same time, the world will hold us in high regard.
Peter captures these two sides for us. I Peter 3:13-16 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? (14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED.” (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Peter asks, “Who will harm us if we follow what is good?” Nevertheless, Peter knows that the righteous do suffer. He says that this suffering is blessed. He emphasises that we ought not to be afraid of their threats. This disposition of boldness was evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit of the early church.
Peter also teaches us to be prepared to defend our stand as disciples of Christ. In all this, our conscience must be clear in all matters.
Our Lord set this example for us, for He grew in favour of God and men. Luke 2:51-52 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. (52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
Judas Iscariot knew everything about the personal life of Jesus. This was his testimony of Jesus Christ. Matthew 27:3-4 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (4) saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
Pilate, the Governor, who was a trained public official, repeatedly made it clear that Jesus did not deserve to be killed. Yet, he had Jesus crucified.
Peter, made it known to his Jewish audience that they were responsible for putting Jesus to death, though they knew that Jesus went about doing good.
Acts 2:22-24 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (23) Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; (24) whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
Peter’s audience did not contest his accusation of them.
Peter and John, squarely, blamed the Jewish leaders for murdering Jesus, which they did not refute, but were angry with them. Acts 5:30-33 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. … (33) When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
Humanity, throughout history, knows that Jesus was innocent, yet He was killed in the most gruesome manner. This is what it is to have the favour of people.
Those who persecute His church, knowing that we have lived righteously, will face God’s severe judgment. II Thessalonians 1:4-10 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, (5) which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; (6) since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, (7) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, (8) in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (10) when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
We do not want anyone to face God’s judgement but this is what awaits those who persecute His church, who know that the people of God were righteous.
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The favour of the world to His church is an enigma.