Finding Freedom in JesusSample

Freedom from fear of persecution

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that becoming a follower of Jesus is the best choice you can make. But Jesus also says that his followers will meet adversity and persecution for His name’s sake: “Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake” (Matthew 10:17-18).

However, there are two reasons why believers need not fear what they are about to suffer. Firstly, when speaking about the coming persecutions, Jesus says: “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20). Some chapters later, Jesus promises to be with his children always (Matthew 28:20). Even in hard situations, Jesus won’t leave us alone.

Secondly, Jesus draws our attention to the eternal joy that awaits his children if they endure tribulation here and now. As the saying has it, ‘God never promised us an easy journey, but He does promise a safe arrival’. Nothing can separate us from his love!