Persecution Reveals True Believers

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended." (Matt. 13: 20-21 kjv)

If your life depended upon it, would you remain a Christian?

Paul wrote:

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (II Tim. 3:12 kjv)

Many Christians around the world are suffering persecution now, even unto death. In the USA we have been blessed to be generally free from this kind of persecution. But, it seems to me, it is going to get bad for the Christians here in America as we near the coming apostasy and tribulation. How can any Christian endure and remain faithful to Christ? John tells us in these words:

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev. 12:11 kjv)

They held fast to the word of their testimony, being true "witnesses" (Greek "martyrs") and not mere hypocrites. "They love not their lives" more than they love their Lord and they proved it by their enduring and by their martyrdom.

Albert Barnes in his Notes on the Bible says this about the stony ground hearers, a group that makes up a large portion of today's Christian church.

"But he that received the seed into stony places - Jesus explains this as denoting those who hear the gospel; who are caught with it as something new or pleasing; who profess to be greatly delighted with it, and who are full of zeal for it. Yet they have no root in themselves. They are not true Christians. Their hearts are not changed. They have not seen their guilt and danger, and the true excellency of Christ. They are not "really" attached to the gospel; and when they are tried and persecution comes, they fall - as the rootless grain withers before the scorching rays of the noonday sun."

John Gill commented:

"Tribulation may intend some lesser and lighter troubles for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; such as the revilings and reproaches of men, loss of character, and trade, &c. and persecution may design something more public and vehement; such as confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and danger of life, the most exquisite tortures, and death in the most cruel form and shape; things very disagreeable to flesh and blood, and which cannot be endured, and submitted to, by persons without a principle of grace, by one that has no root in himself. Luke calls this a time "of temptation", or trial, as it is either way, both by private troubles, and more public persecutions: these try men's principles and professions, and whether the truth of grace is in them or not; and where it is not in any person,

by and by he is offended; at the cross; he shrinks back from it, does not care to take it up, and follow Christ; but drops his religion, and the profession of it; apostatises, falls away, and comes to nothing."

Jesus, in his letter to the church at Sardis spoke of a coming "hour of trial" which will come upon all the world to "try" or test men in regard to their professions. (Rev. 3: 10) How will it go with us?

What Satan said to God in regard to the religious profession of most is true, though not true in the case of the prophet Job. Said the Adversary:

"Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life." (Job 2:4)

What is the main lesson from these texts?

Make sure you have "the root of the matter" in your soul. "Make your calling and election sure." (II Peter 1:10) Don't "rest on your laurels."