This episode spells out the dynamic of persecution in the lives of believers. Persecution arises because of the Word sake. (Mark 4:17) Christians have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken. (Heb. 12:28) The sovereign purpose of God in persecution is therefore the removal of things which can be shaken so that the things which cannot be shaken remain. (Heb. 12:27) So typically God allows persecution in the lives of believers to expose residual unbelief and sympathy with the kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13). The Christian should then repent and be more committed to Christ. Amidst persecution, believers are called to identify with the sufferings and death of Christ, fully cognizant that this posture glorifies Christ, as it testifies to the veracity of the gospel. The episode finally notes that Paul was motivated to suffer for Christ because he knew Him intimately: he had "the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6)
“Blessed are You When Persecuted..”
This episode applies the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to the cross of persecution. Paul told Timothy that all who wish to live godly shall suffer persecution. (2 Tim. 3:12) Public identification with Christ naturally challenges unbelievers and purely "religious' people to evaluate their commitment to worldly values. Many instinctively react defensively and malign Christians whose gospel is convicting. Persecution reveals the degree that we identify with Christ. The disciples who would fully identify with Christ are told to rejoice when it occurs. (Mt. 5:12) Since persecution arises because of the Word, it naturally reveals where are faith isn't rooted or possibly luke-warm. The answer is, of course, to abide more in Christ to the point where He becomes the identity upon which we rest.
The Multi-Faceted Cross
This episode introduces the second arena in which believers are called to apply the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to their lives, that of self-denial. While Christians use the paradigm of Christ's death and resurrection as a model for dealing with the cross of sin, closely related, but not the same, is our attitude towards everything we have that is NOT sinful. All of our gifts and talents need to placed at the Master's feet and utilized based on HIS leading. The episode also mentions the cross of persecution, the third area in which we apply the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to our lives. The episode affirms that the three crosses carried by Christians (sin, self-denial, and persecution) are inter-related. Our submission to Christ over sin issues naturally affects how we respond to self-denial in other areas and our attitude towards persecution.