As it is written: "For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
Truth to Learn
The reason that faithful Christians suffer in this life is not because of disobedience, but because of family lineage.
Behind the Words
The word translated “it is written” is the Greek verb graphÅ, which literally means “to engrave.” By modern application it means “to write.” It is expressed in the Greek perfect tense, which implies past completed action with an ongoing effect, but the emphasis is on the effect.
Meaning Explained
Paul has just asked the rhetorical question, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” He then listed a number of afflictions that can occur to man. He now seems to abruptly change thought and quotes a passage from the Old Testament (Psalms 44:22). If you read through the 44th Psalm, however, you will see that it is neither abrupt nor a change of thought.
In Psalms 44 the writer is recounting first the way that GOD has fought for the Israelites and how their enemies have been scattered. In the second part of this Psalm, he recounts the shame suffered by the Israelites when God apparently abandoned them. The third portion of this Psalm is the author’s commitment to GOD in spite of the calamities that have overtaken them. At that point the writer proclaimed:
“Surely, for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Psalms 44:22)
The reason for the afflictions of the Jewish people was (and is) not because of sin; rather, it is because they are the chosen people of GOD.
That’s the point that Paul is making here and the reason that he quotes this Old Testament passage. In the previous verse he recited a number of afflictions that befall Christians today. He is saying now that the reason for these afflictions is not because of disobedience or sin, it is because we are obedient, and we are the children of God. That’s the reason we are (and will be) attacked by our enemy.
Keep in mind what Christ told His disciples in John’s gospel:
"If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you …” (John 15:18-20)
Application
We will suffer in this life because we are Christians! In fact, the greater our testimony, the more likely it is that we will suffer. Paul, however, is about to offer a word of encouragement and a glorious truth for us all to know when we are in the midst of those trials.
The key to understanding Christian persecution and suffering is not to focus on what we have done, but what He has done – and what He will always do.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved