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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King Jr. One fought to end slavery in the British Colonies, one passionately opposed Nazism and one was influential in bringing civil rights to blacks.
These men have many things in common. They spoke boldly against injustices and “defended the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9). They resolved to have no part in “the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather exposed them” (Ephesians 5:11). These men knew that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
These social reformers are now lifted on pedestals for their actions and accomplishments; but the very things we now respect them for earned them persecution both verbally and physically, as the majority of people in their cultures opposed what they were doing. Two of these men, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King Jr., were murdered for their efforts.
Proclaiming truth can and often does put up a wall, so others refuse to listen. It can also invite persecution, regardless of how lovingly it is said. This proclamation of truth is usually viewed as bad and will be addressed by peers and elders who encourage a re-thinking of the chosen approach and suggest more prayer about a better way forward.
We most certainly should pray first and foremost and move forward in God’s will since we want to be effective in how we communicate truth, but it does not follow that receiving persecution and rejection is bad or ineffective. It can be bad, especially when done bitterly, which is why we should “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
When we move forward in humility and in agreement with Scripture, then we should not view persecution as bad or ineffective, because we have no idea how the Lord is going to transform people and culture through us, in the same way he used Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer and King.
A great way to evaluate one’s effectiveness, and more importantly whether one is lining up scripturally in proclaiming truth, is to look at Jesus. One read through any of the Gospels will give anyone a good feel for how Jesus proclaims truth and how others react to his statements. While we can never get close to being anything like Jesus, we can look to Him as a model for our lives. Through Jesus’ teachings and statements, there were many people who wanted to and planned on killing him, but there were also many people who loved and followed him. By the grace of God, when we proclaim His truth, the same should be said of us.
There will, no doubt, be many people who hate us, for Jesus said, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). This should not be a burden, but a joy, since Jesus said in Matthew, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11). On the opposite end, when we proclaim truth, there will also be many people who agree with us, encourage us and stand with us as we look to Christ. God will also make it evident to us when we are proclaiming His truth in a way that pleases Him. “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23).
When we speak God’s truth boldly and in love, there will be times when it seems like nothing is changing and that people are shutting us out, rather than acknowledging the truth. Another look at Jesus can help provide encouragement and reassurance. Jesus always spoke the truth in love, but he spoke it nonetheless.
In Matthew 19:16-22, we find the story of the rich young ruler who asks Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life. Jesus tells him to obey the commandments, all of which the man claims to have kept perfectly. Jesus responds by saying, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). As we know, the man “went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Matthew 19:22). Jesus chose to say the one thing to the man that would cause him to leave and not follow Jesus.
How then, can it be wrong for us as Christians to speak the truth in love, but boldly, not backing away from the truth, even if it may cost us friends and relationships?
We may not see the immediate effects of Christ’s work as we speak boldly for Him, but neither did William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer or Martin Luther King Jr., but God used them for great things. They were hated, loved, persecuted and two martyred.
We must avoid the trap of thinking that receiving persecution means one is doing something wrong. In many cases, it means you are doing exactly what God wants of you and calls you to. He does not call everyone to speak out boldly and in love, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16).
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