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SOLIDARITY IN SUFFERINGS
LORD’S DAY, OCTOBER 26
1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

1 Peter 3:14-17

 

“…for ye also have
suffered like things of

your own countrymen…”

 

SOLIDARITY IN SUFFERINGS
 
Because of their faith, the young converts at Thessalonica were suffering. Paul encouraged them by telling them of the churches in Judaea who were also being persecuted. For those in Judaea, their fellow Jews were the persecutors. In like manner, as the Thessalonians were being persecuted by their fellow Gentiles, they had become followers of those in Judaea. This is not to say that they intentionally patterned themselves after those in Judea. Rather, Paul said that in the way they endured persecution, they reminded him of the churches at Judaea – churches that were likewise resilient in the face of persecution. This was a sure sign of their spiritual maturity. They were willing to continue to stand for God amid much affliction and discouragement. Their allegiance to Christ was not simply a casual choice that they made, or a thoughtless declaration of faith that suited their convenience. Their resilience demonstrated their true faith, which enabled them to stand firm despite the heavy persecution they faced.
 
Through this, Paul’s encouragement to them was that they were certainly not alone in their struggles with persecution. Just as Elijah needed to know (after the events of Mt Carmel and the threats from Jezebel) that there continued to be a remnant that did not bow down to Baal, we too can be encouraged to know that there is a remnant today that continues to be faithful amid the growing oppression and persecution of faithful Christians. There can be solidarity in suffering, not because we all enjoy suffering together, but rather through our shared experiences, we experience the “fellowship of (Christ’s) sufferings” (Phil 3:10) and, in so doing, mature in our faith.
 
If we are going through any sort of persecution, or are suffering for Christ, let us take comfort in the fact that generations of faithful saints have already trod that same path before us. They have run their race. Now it is our turn to run ours.
 
THOUGHT: How hard it must have been for Jesus to face the cross alone!
PRAYER: Father, grant me the courage to continue to be faithful to Thee amid persecution.

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