Learning from the Persecuted ChurchSample

Radical Perspective

All of us live our lives from a particular perspective. This perspective is shaped by many factors, including our experiences, our education, and our upbringing. Hopefully, all of these things that shape our perspective on life are also shaped by our spiritual life. This includes our relationship with God, and is reinforced by the scriptures in a significant way. We can also add to our perspective through the observation of the Persecuted Church.  

We have discussed the radical faith, joy, hope, and love that the Persecuted Church demonstrates as they serve the Lord through difficulties and suffering. Finally, we will focus on their radical perspective. This perspective is an eternal one, and when we see our lives through the lens of eternity, our lives change dramatically and for the better.

The Beatitudes offer an incredible window into what life is like when one has an eternal perspective. We are prone to see the things of everyday life, as if this life is all there is, and ever will be. The Bible teaches just the opposite. It shows us that our lives are “like a vapor that appears for a moment, then vanishes away.” Since we will live on in eternity as well, we should see this life and all that it contains for what it is: the beginning notes to the prelude of forever.

The Beatitudes give us an eternal perspective on humility, mourning, gentleness, righteousness, mercy, purity, and peacemaking. They also give us a true understanding of Christian persecution. Every statement of the Beatitudes begins with “Blessed are…”.  This text shows us how we are actually blessed when we are reviled, persecuted, and slandered for the sake of Christ. This will seem to be absurd, unless we understand life in light of eternity. The truth is seen in the scripture, but the life and witness of the Persecuted Church testifies of the experiential reality of this lofty spiritual concept. When we learn to have this radical perspective of seeing life in the light of eternity, radical faith, joy, hope, and love will fill our lives.

Let us walk in Spirit and in truth with all we have learned from the radical faith, joy, hope, love, and perspective of the Persecuted Church.

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