…at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 26:13-15
Paul was a persecutor of Christians, but as Jesus told him during his conversion experience, Paul was actually persecuting Jesus Himself. Here are some truths to learn from this:
Jesus loves and identifies with His people so intimately that when people abuse His people, they are abusing Him!
When Christians are being persecuted, we must not take it personally. Their hateful abuse may be suffered by us, but it is Jesus they actually hate—even though they do not usually realize it!
The just vengeance God will one day pour out on those who persecute His people will be no less severe than the vengeance He unleashes on those who crucified Jesus.
We can thank God that we have not yet suffered persecution the way so many of our brothers and sisters have and do. I say “not yet” because persecution of Christ’s Church is gaining momentum here in our nation. The laws and court decisions are leaning against any who hold to a biblical worldview. Disagree with same sex unions, “gender transitioning,” and any one of the other abominations that are being shoved down our throats by the insanity of “woke-ism,” and you will soon be labeled not only a hater to be cancelled, but a criminal to be prosecuted, and imprisoned—or worse!
Our only hope when being persecuted is to keep our eyes on Jesus, pray for a revival, and for the salvation of those who hate and persecute our Lord!