Now I have just one more thing to add in conclusion. When a Christian can anchor himself in a knowledge of the five great truths that I have just been explaining, persecution can result in rejoicing. And the rejoicing will—and this is the point—lead to greater knowledge.
The third truth that will help a Christian to rejoice in persecution is the truth that persecution allows the Christian an opportunity to show forth the supernatural radiance of the Christian life. If everything is going well with you and you rejoice, what makes you different from all of the nonbelievers who are in the world? Nothing at all! They too rejoice when circumstances are favorable. If you are able to rejoice when things are not favorable, however, then Jesus Christ may be clearly seen in you and the supernatural power of the Christian faith is made manifest. Persecution is the dark background for the supernatural radiance of this life.
The second part of a Christian knowledge that will help him to rejoice in persecution is the knowledge that God often uses persecution to perfect the believer. In the great wisdom of God persecution is often the means by which the Christian is helped along the road to practical holiness and thereby made a little more like Jesus.
Neither can you trust your reason. For the reasoning power of a Christian is often that which is most shaken in the midst of persecution. Have you ever noticed how the apostle Paul described his mental state in the midst of his many persecutions? He writes about it in 2 Corinthians, telling us that confusion of his reason was at least part of the problem.
The most striking part of Christ's eighth and last beatitude is the command that the Christian is to rejoice in persecutions: "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Not only is it striking, it is puzzling also. For the question immediately arises in the mind of any thoughtful reader, "How are we to rejoice in persecutions, when we are unjustly insulted, scorned, or condemned?" It is a valid question, and the answer is well worth pondering. How does a Christian rejoice in persecutions? I am convinced that the only valid answer to that question is by knowledge.
