Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 NIV
Persecution is to harass or punish someone in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict. It subjects someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of his/her race, religion, and in our context, because of righteousness; choosing to be in a right standing with God. So, as righteousness is inseparable from our call to follow Christ, also is persecution. The Lord Jesus, in John 15:20 says: “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…”
Therefore, when life gets difficult because you would not compromise your faith, when all seems to be working against you, either at work, among your friends/colleagues, within the society, or perhaps even in the church, please, never for a moment think that God has forsaken you.
Indeed, all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].
2 Timothy 3:12 AMPC
So, the only ‘escape route’ from persecution (so to say) is to decide that you don’t want to be in right standing with Christ Jesus. Meanwhile, the bible says those who follow this road of sin will end up in eternal destruction. However, God’s desire is that you would reign with Him for eternity. Therefore, the world would persecute you if you follow in the way of Jesus.
Like Jesus Christ, we are not of this world. We are strangers and pilgrims here. Our citizenship is of God’s kingdom, where Christ is. So, like our Master and Saviour, we would face some opposition. However, Jesus promised us victory over the world. This victory doesn’t negate the fact that of a truth we would be persecuted.
Since our identity is in Christ, we don’t have any reason to worry or to bow to the pressure from the world irrespective of the persecution.
