Faith in the Face of Persecution

Reading: Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

The 21 Coptic Christians who walked to their deaths on a Libyan beach in 2015, many of them calling out to Jesus with their final breaths, force us to confront an uncomfortable question: Would our faith hold in the face of death? Their courage wasn't superhuman—it was Christ in them. They understood something that we often forget in our comfortable Christianity: this life is the blink of an eye, and eternity stretches forever.

You may never face physical martyrdom, but you will face moments that test your faith. Maybe it's the mockery at work, the exclusion from social circles, the quiet pressure to compromise your values. In those moments, remember that persecution isn't a sign that God has abandoned you—it's a sign that you're walking the same path Jesus walked. The early Christians actually rejoiced when they faced persecution because it meant they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name. This eternal perspective transforms everything.

Reflection Question: If following Jesus cost you everything, would it still be worth it?

Action Step: Pray by name for three countries where Christians face severe persecution. Then examine your own life: identify one area where you've been compromising your faith for comfort or acceptance, and commit to bold faithfulness there.

"When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer