Why might people think they serve God by harming believers, as in John 16:2? “They will put you out of the synagogues; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” Setting the Stage • Jesus speaks these words the night before the cross, preparing His disciples for hostile treatment that will feel religiously justified. • The warning is prophetic and literal: expulsion from synagogues quickly followed (Acts 5:40; 13:45), and believers were killed by people confident they were honoring God (Acts 7:57–60). Religious Zeal without True Knowledge • Romans 10:2–3 — “For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.” • Philippians 3:6 — Paul describes himself as “zealous for the law, persecuting the church.” • When zeal eclipses revelation of Christ, sincerity fuels violence, not righteousness. Key Reasons People Believe Harm Equals Service to God • Misinterpretation of Scripture – John 5:39–40: searching the Scriptures yet refusing to come to Jesus results in distorted conclusions. – Acts 6:11–14: Stephen is accused of blasphemy because opponents twist Moses’ words. • Pride in Religious Tradition – Mark 7:8–9: elevating human rules above God’s commands cultivates hostility toward anyone who threatens the system. • Spiritual Blindness – 2 Corinthians 4:4: “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” – Blindness can masquerade as enlightenment when wrapped in ritual. • Fear of Losing Power – John 11:48: leaders plot Jesus’ death “or the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” – Violence becomes a tool to protect status while claiming divine sanction. • Perverted Conscience – Isaiah 5:20: calling evil good and good evil. – Conscience, uninformed by God’s Spirit, approves persecution as virtuous. • Cultural Momentum – Acts 19:28–34: a riot ignites over perceived insult to Artemis. Cultural faith systems can label Christ’s followers as threats that must be silenced. Biblical Examples Illustrating the Pattern • Saul of Tarsus (Acts 26:9–11) — imprisoned, voted to execute believers “in raging fury.” • Religious leaders who crucified Jesus (John 19:7). • Jezebel’s prophets killing God’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4). • Jews opposing early missionaries, believing they preserved purity of worship (Acts 17:5). Roots of Persecuting Zeal • Hardened heart (Hebrews 3:12–13). • Unregenerate nature (Ephesians 2:3). • Satanic influence (Revelation 2:10). • Worldly system at odds with Christ (John 15:18–19). Application for Believers Today • Expect misunderstanding and opposition dressed in piety (2 Timothy 3:12). • Respond with truth and love, not retaliation (Romans 12:17–21). • Anchor identity in Christ, not social acceptance (Galatians 6:14). • Pray for persecutors; they may become Pauls instead of Sauls (Matthew 5:44). • Hold fast to Scripture; discern between godly zeal and fleshly fervor (James 1:20). Encouragement from Jesus’ Words • Forewarning is forearming: He told us so panic would be replaced by peace (John 16:4, 33). • Persecution validates our union with Christ (John 15:20). • The Holy Spirit bears witness and empowers enduring faith (John 15:26–27). Even when opponents believe they honor God by silencing believers, the cross and the empty tomb prove otherwise. Stand firm; the truth is on the side of Christ and His people. |
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