Over the last twenty years, those who oppose Christianity have made great strides in silencing Christians from not only sharing their faith – but also from living their faith. The assault has come in our schools, at our jobs, in our government, and sadly at times in our churches and in our homes. Christians, in many cases, have allowed themselves to succumb to the notion that “faith in Jesus Christ is a personal thing [to be kept to oneself] – not to be discussed in the public arena.” And, if you need to refer to a “Higher Authority” – you may only do so using terms like “God” [but not Jesus Christ], “Supreme Being,” “Creator,” or “The Man Upstairs.”
Daily, it can be shown that many in our society [and the numbers are growing in leaps and bound] have no respect for God – nor His Word, His Church, the government, or God’s design of “marriage” [restricted to the union of a man and a woman], or the family. Unfortunately, many Christians have also fallen asleep at the helm – not realizing that “religious freedom” in this country came at a high cost – and are allowing our “religious liberties” to be eroded and subdued in a society of Christian intolerance.
But now we should ask ourselves two questions: 1) Should we be surprised at the current events?; 2) What can we do? Let’s answer the first question from 2 Timothy 3:1-7,
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
(Isn’t it something that there are those in our society today who want to teach Christians what Christians ought to know about God – apart from Jesus Christ?)
The answer to the second question requires that each born again believer understand that by “sticking one’s head in the sand” one has in effect emboldened and enabled those who stand against us [but in reality those who stand against Jesus Christ]. This is primarily due to the fact that many “Christians” have chosen the “easy road” – not willing to suffer persecution. But 2 Timothy 3:12 states, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” In reality, when we are silent – we are guilty of disobeying God’s Word. Jesus Christ instructed His Church to “preach the gospel unto every creature [man, woman, boy, girl]”. [Cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15.] 1 Peter 4:12-14 states,
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
The question must now be asked, “Are you willing to suffer persecution as a child of God?” Are you willing to live [and pray] as a child of God – even if it cost you your job? Or, are you satisfied with leaving your “head in the sand?” If there is to be a change in the hearts of society – it must start within your own heart, as Paul stated in Philippians 1:21,
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
And as he stated in Galatians 2:20,
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Are you willing to stand up and be counted for Christ – or have you become too comfortable with your “head in the sand”?
