As the culture continues its plunge into depravity, it is becoming increasingly difficult to live a faithful Christian life. Yet, faithful we must be!  For it is “the one who perseveres to the end who will be saved.” (Mt 24:13).  Take for example, Paige Casey a Catholic nurse practitioner who was fired by CVS for her religious convictions against abortion causing drugs. As a former pharmacist, this is something I experienced personally. In 2006, I transferred with Walgreens from Minnesota to Illinois where the they would not allow me to work unless I signed an agreement to dispense all forms of oral contraceptives, including Plan B (the morning after pill). I was forced to quit or compromise my pro-life convictions. So I quit. Faithfulness came with a cost. It always does.

Scripture tells us to expect persecution for living our faith faithfully. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3:12).   So how do we remain steadfast?  We can learn from the example of the Christians in Thessalonica. 

“For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!”  (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).   

What can we learn from the Thessalonian Christians who suffered at the hands of their “own countrymen” for their faith in Christ, just as the churches in Judea suffered from the Jews? 

Paul lists four things the Christians suffered:

1) DEATH (v.15) – They “killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets.”

2) OSTRACIZATION (v.15) – They “drove us (Christians) out.” Banished, canceled, excluded by general consent from society, friendship, conversation, etc. This they did by intense persecution.  This came first from their fellow citizens.  Not from the top, but from the bottom in mob rule (v.14, cf. Acts 17:5ff).

3) DEPRAVITY (v.15) – They “displease God.” In a depraved, immoral culture of sin a Christian suffers.  We suffer the temptation to sin and the pressure to conform or to affirm sin.  Moreover, Christians are also grieved by the sin they see around them and its devastating consequences.   

4) OPPOSITION (v.15) – They “oppose all mankind” and specifically “hindering us from speaking” and especially sharing the gospel and God’s word that others “might be saved.” They opposed them with all means possible to prevent people from converting to Christ and the Christian faith (v.16).

How can we cultivate steadfast faith that endures persecution of any kind?

1) Resolve to follow Christ no matter the cost. Resolve to live the truth and not compromise your faith convictions. The Christians in Thessalonica responded with steadfast faith in their afflictions (1 Thes 3:4-13; 2 Thes 1:4).  This brought glory to God and encouragement to other churches to do the same (1 Thes 1:6-8). “So then…let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thes 5:6). 

2) Foster a deep trust in God’s character (Ps 112:4,7). They “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,…” (1 Thes 1:9).  We must know in whom we have believed (2 Tim 1:12).  His sovereignty, goodness, wisdom, grace, strength, and faithfulness, etc., to see us through anything we may face.  There is nowhere else to turn but to the living and true God.  “The LORD is my rock and my fortress” (Ps 18:1).

3) Cling to the promises of God (1 Thes 5:23-24).  There are many great and precious promises given to us from God (2 Pet 1:4)!!  Learn them and lean on them in faith. Two examples: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” ( 1 Peter 5:10-11). (See also Romans 8:32ff; 2 Cor 9:8, 12:9-10 and many more!)

4) Memorize as much Scripture as possible so it is with you in all circumstances (v.13). Hide it in your heart. Let it dwell in you richly (Col 3:16). “Princes persecute me without cause, buy my heart stands in awe of your words.  I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil… Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Ps 119:161-162, 165).   

5) Remember the end of the wicked (v.16; Psalm 73:16-19). Apart from Christ, God’s wrath will come upon them at last.  “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at among all who believe.” (2 Thes 1:9).  Like Noah, “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment…” (2 Pet 2:9).

6) Remember the reward that awaits God’s people (1 Thes 1:10; 5:9). The joy of heaven is worth any sacrifice we make on earth. (2 Cor 4:16-18; Ps 73:24; Luke 6:22-23; Rom 8:17-18).  So much so that Jesus teaches us, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven” (Lk 6:22-23). 

7) Commit to worship God.  Pray earnestly and regularly (2 Cor 1:10-11) while rejoicing in the Lord and giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18; Phil 4:4-7; Col 4:2).  

8) Fellowship in community with others who are committed to doing these things.  Paul tells them, “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up…” (1 Thes 5:11).   The church has suffered for Christ throughout history (v.14; 1 Pet 4:12; 5:9).  All the more reason to encourage one another to continue in the faith for it is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God (1 Thes 2:12; 4:18; Acts 14:22).  

The Pathway to Courageous Perseverance

This is the pathway to courageous perseverance.  These things will keep us from shrinking back and from being silent. They will keep us bold and winsome as we serve Christ in the mission of making disciples that He has called us to – at home and in the world. We must not allow fear to consume our faith for that will lead us to compromise in one way or another.

God enable us to: Stay true to Christ. Stand firm in Christ. Speak winsomely for Christ. And serve Christ faithfully. Come what may. Amen!