Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang
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Lent Devotion

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"At the Foot of the Cross" is an annual Lenten devotion written by clergy and lay leaders in the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. This devotion has been faithfully produced since 1992 and this year's theme is on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Join us as we journey together towards the foot of the cross.

 
 

27 February - Suffering for What We Believe

 

“For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.”

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights ensures that everyone has the freedom of religion and beliefs. Regrettably, many in the world today are facing discrimination, persecution and even death for their faith. Open Doors reports that one in eight believers, or 260 million people, currently face persecution worldwide. Discrimination and ill-treatment can be caused either by a tyrannical state or society under the banner of “identity-politics” and religion. There are various kinds of ill-treatment and cyberbullying occurring because one has different beliefs or convictions contrary to popular movements that may be trending currently. In the end, freedom to belief and practice their faith, not just personally, but even publicly, is a relentless battle for many believers.

This is certainly not a new issue but has been a constant predicament for true believers from the beginning of the Church to our present age. Paul here acknowledges the oppressions that believers are facing in Thessalonica as in Judea because they have received the word of God (1 Thessalonians1:6). The Jews or the Gentiles, depending on the context, are almost always viciously opposing those who believe in the Gospel.

What can believers do when they face persecution?

Firstly, Paul reminds believers that they are sharing the same challenges that Jesus and the prophets faced. In many other passages, even Paul identifies himself with Jesus’ suffering for the Gospel. The journey of faith is rough, but we can be assured that as Jesus overcame even death, we too will be triumphant if we remain faithful until the end. Throughout history, where persecution increased the Church grew faster. No persecution can stop the advancement of God’s Kingdom!

Secondly, Paul states that those who oppose the advancement of the Gospel are heaping up their sins and are under God’s wrath. How should we respond to this? As humans, it is easier to take comfort that our enemies will be punished, and justice will be served but it is our Christian responsibility to pray for the persecutors that they may understand the love of God that is shown through Jesus.

PONDER

What should be our Christian response when we face persecution?

PROMISE

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

PRAYER

Father God, today we remember those who are persecuted for their faith and even some of us in our own context. May we find strength in the cross and through our testimonies for the Gospel, we pray that our persecutors themselves will be drawn to the truth and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Article by the Reverend Gerrad Emmanuel, Vicar of Holy Spirit Church, Ipoh. He is also a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee.

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