Why does God allow His servants to be persecuted?

The search for God's servants has an ancient history. Abel, the son of the first humans, suffered a violent death because of his brother Cain. Since then, many more have suffered bitter persecution. Why did God allow this?

The biblical story of a conversation about faithful Job sheds light on the subject. We read: “Jehovah kept saying to Satan: 'Have you put my heart in my servant Job, that there may be no one like him on earth, a man of innocence and righteousness, who fears God and turn away from evil? ? Satan answered Jehovah and said: Was it in vain that Job feared God? You don't have a fence around it, your house and everything around you? You have blessed the work of your hands and your cattle have spread throughout the land. But for a change, please reach out and touch everything he has and see if he doesn't curse you in the face. - Job 1: 8-11.

Here Satan asserted that Job served the Most High only for selfish reasons. The opponent argued that Job would be unfaithful once the material benefits were removed. In fact, this is Satan's statement regarding all of Jehovah's faithful servants. This statement was also a correction for the holy name of God. How is it? It seemed that Jehovah's government was of inferior quality and that no one would submit to it if there were no selfish advantages.

As in the case of Job, Jehovah God did not protect his servants from persecution. It allowed them to show their selfless love for him and their sincere desire that Heavenly Father's fame be impeccable. In fact, they consider it a privilege to suffer for righteousness, thus helping to justify the holy name of God and showing that Satan's imprisonment is a lie.

The persecution which the Almighty inflicted on his servants also served other noble purposes. This becomes clear when you look at the words to Jewish Christians: "Because you fought this sin, you never resisted so much blood, but you completely forgot the reputation you had as a child: ' My son, do not despise Jehovah. Discipline or give up when he corrects you; whom Jehovah loves corrects; In fact, he whips everyone he wins when he was a kid. “It depends on the discipline you support. God treats you like a child ”. -Eb. 12: 4-7.

The Christian Jews treated here had not yet passed the final bloodshed test. But the petty persecutions apparently encouraged some to continue the struggle against sin, to lose faith and to renounce it. For this reason, they should be reminded that treating persecutors harshly was in fact disciplining or training for Jehovah. Although very painful, the persecution permitted by the Almighty was for his spiritual children. Christian Jews were told: “At this point no discipline seems happy but painful. but then it bears peaceful fruits, that is, righteousness, for those who have been formed by it. "-Eb. 12:11.

Christian Jews were chosen to be the heirs of the Lord Jesus Christ. As such, they would share with him as kings and priests of humanity; By faithfully enduring persecution and maintaining integrity, they are perfect for your position in heaven.

This is well illustrated in the case of Jesus Christ himself. He has always been obedient to Heavenly Father. But on earth, he learned to obey under adverse circumstances. He suffered a great deal, including an embarrassing death on an execution stick. Because? One of the reasons was to make him perfect for his role as high priest. Hebrews 4:15 says, "As high priests we have no one who does not regret our weaknesses, but someone who has been tested like us in every way, but without sin."

Likewise, after suffering, Jesus' auxiliary priests can "treat the ignorant and deceivers with moderation" as well as the imperfect Aaronic priests of ancient Israel. in your office. Rather, it is loyalty under pressure that determines whether you are worthy of the wonderful rewards of celestial life as Associate Priests of Jesus.

These heirs to the kingdom are not the only ones to suffer persecution. Indeed, those who do not agree with the mores, attitudes and actions of the world will suffer from the hatred of the world. (John 17:14) This serves as proof of the true devotion of the heart and determines whether Jehovah God can use you to get what you want. So what Jehovah's people experience on the path of persecution is part of their preparation for the future. For example, the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ will have earthly representatives, “princes”. These “principles” are men who have shown themselves to be faithful in the process and, therefore, who can certainly be trusted with great responsibility. (Psalm 45:16)

Therefore, when we suffer for righteousness, we must remember that persecution is not proof of God's displeasure. No, it shows that we are his servants whom he loves deeply and who disciplines or trains for his good purposes. The apostle Peter pointed out that this confirms that true Christians have the spirit of God. We read: “If the name of Christ is mocked at you, rejoice, for the spirit of glory, that is, the spirit of God, rests on you. "- 1 domestic animal. 4:14.

Indeed, the Bible makes it clear that there are good reasons why Jehovah persecutes his servants. Above all, they present compelling evidence that Jehovah deserves to be loved and obeyed and that Satan's statement regarding the servant of the Most High is false. In addition, the persecution served to discipline or train God's servants and to prepare them to do what He intended for them. Therefore, we should not give up when we are persecuted, but show that we are faithful under trial. Only then can we be "vessels for an honest purpose, useful to our Heavenly Father, ready for every good work."