Persecution may be a foreign experience for most of us, but it has been the norm for most Christians throughout church history. In a culture that seems increasingly hostile to the biblical worldview, we should not fear or panic. We can find the joy, comfort, and courage that God has provided for us in His Word. This series, first published in October, 2015, works to that end. —ed.

In the final private hours before His arrest, Christ warned His disciples of the fierce opposition they would face throughout their ministry. That same opposition to God’s Word and His people continues today.

But Christ’s warning curiously begins with an admonition to “love one another” (John 15:17). In times of opposition and persecution, why is love so crucial for the church? What difference does our love for one another make in the face of the world’s fierce hatred?

We recently asked John MacArthur those questions, and here’s what he had to say:

The church ought to be defined by its sacrificial love for each other. We need to bear each other up—especially in times of trial and persecution. Through our love we evidence God’s transforming work and live out a powerful testimony of His saving love for us.