Christianity Comes With Persecution

For many believers around the world, persecution is not a distant threat but a daily reality. In countries like Iran and North Korea, professing faith in Christ can cost your job, your family, or even your life. 

In many other places, persecution may not be as extreme, but it’s still a reality. Should this surprise us? Is persecution supposed to happen? Should Christians expect it?

The answer, though difficult, is clear: yes.

Persecution is Part of the Christian Life

Far from being an exception, suffering and persecution are an essential part of the Christian path. Jesus never promised an easy life to his followers. On the contrary, he openly warned us:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

“If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

Jesus suffered persecution—rejected by his own people (John 1:11), misunderstood, slandered, and ultimately crucified. If the Son of God was not welcomed by the world, why should we, his disciples, expect anything different?

To face persecution is not a rarity or an interruption in the Christian life. In fact, it’s the norm and the common experience of God’s people throughout history. The Apostle Paul left no room for ambiguity when he wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

He doesn’t say some believers or limit this statement to certain cultural contexts. He says “all.” True godliness disturbs the world because light exposes darkness, and faithfulness to Christ inevitably clashes with a system that has rejected him.

Persecution of the Early Church

The early Christians lived this truth firsthand. The apostles were beaten, imprisoned, and threatened. Many were killed. The Christian testimony didn’t spread on red carpets, but through pools of blood and tears. 

From the catacombs of Rome to the fires lit by emperors, the history of the Christian faith is soaked in suffering, and yet, it overflows with joy. Suffering for Christ is not a senseless tragedy but a purposeful privilege. Paul and Barnabas exhorted the churches saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

From prison, Paul wrote with conviction, “For it has been granted to you… not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).

In other words, there is no crown without a cross, no resurrection without death. As children of God, wee join Lord Jesus in his suffering because we will also join him in his triumph.

There is Hope When Facing Persecution

Persecution of Christians has never been uncommon in Church history. What’s uncommon is for persecution to not happen. When the Church is loved by the world, something is wrong. The world has never been friendly to the cross.

And yet, to suffer with Christ is to suffer with purpose. It is to be counted worthy of him. And he has promised to wipe away every tear, vindicate his people, and glorify those who endure.

The real question is not whether we will be persecuted, but whether we will be prepared to endure it faithfully. Are we willing to follow Christ even if it means pain, loss, and perhaps death? The gospel is not only worthy of our lives—it’s worthy of our tears. Christ is worth everything.