“Only let your manner of life be worthyof the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. Paul encouraged the Philippian church to stand firm while he was in prison: “Hold the Line” means to firmly maintain one’s viewpoint, principles, or situation, and to refuse to change one’s practice or plans. We should pray that we and all of our brothers and sisters throughout the world can “hold the line” when persecution comes. And we can pray that it actually ends in the places it’s happening right now, and for the protection and peace of those who are suffering from it in the meantime.īut Scripture shows us something even more important that we can pray for in times of persecution, even for those whose very lives are threatened. We can pray that it doesn’t increase here or anywhere else in the world, all the while knowing and being thankful the gospel still advances in times of persecution, often greatly. Anyone who knows the Scriptures isn’t surprised by Christian persecution.Ĭhristian persecution is not new, and neither is the idea that it will be on the rise here in the United States. Likewise, Jesus told Peter, James, John and Andrew that they would be “hated by all” for His name’s sake as they sat on the Mount of Olives. John tells believers, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” – 1 John 3:13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13
Hold the line trial#
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. Those graduates who are Christians should be familiar enough with their Bibles to know that his words weren’t just hollow rhetoric. Vice President Mike Pence’s commencement speech at Liberty University left the news media saturated with headlines about his ‘warning’ to the Christian university’s graduates to “prepare to be ridiculed” or to “be ready” for persecution.
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