Sometime in the future?
Judge: "Does the jury have a verdict?"
Jury Foreman: "Yes, your honor."
Judge: "Proceed."
Jury Foreman: "We, the jury, in the aforementioned case, do find the defendant guilty of being a Christian. We further find him/her guilty of three counts of illegal possession of a Bible, unlawful assembly with other Christians, and the forbidden proclamation of their message in public. For the high crime of treason, in this case the willful expression of allegiance to a higher authority than the government, we do hereby pronounce the death penalty."
In many areas of the world, being a Christian puts your life at risk.
It hasn’t happened in this country…yet.
But there is a much subtler persecution going on.
It’s very apparent that our country is being flooded with anti-Christian messages. Especially in the media. It is no longer "politically correct" to be a believer. We are considered "exclusive" and "hateful" and "narrow-minded." Those are some of the kinder names.
Have you faced this persecution?
Sometimes I find myself a bit isolated from it. Not intentionally, I am mostly surrounded by other believers. At church, in my Bible Study, in my small group. The Body of Christ is alive and well even in Blog Land.
All of my close friends are Christians.
But my sons, in their 20’s, experience a different world. Many of their friends are not. And they often find themselves on the "other" side of the fence when it comes to entertainment, and money, and socializing, and values.
It’s been this way for a while –
Even when my kids were in elementary school, we had to change Easter Break to Spring Break, and the Christmas Program magically morphed into the Holiday Program. My nephew, who’s in high school, only said the Pledge of Allegiance on Mondays last year – the rest of the week they read a "patriotic" piece.
It’s the whole mention of GOD that is so offensive these days.
Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of this sinful shift that is occurring in America – this move away from its Biblical beginnings, and its Christian values.
It takes place right before the fall of Jerusalem, during the reign of King Zedekiah. Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man. He was one of the kings who "did evil in the sight of the Lord."
And disaster was looming on the horizon…
"The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people…But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’S anger could no longer be restrained…" (2 Chronicles 36:15-16)
The next verse is the frightening conclusion to this willful turning away from God.
"So the LORD brought the king of Babylon against them."
Friends, I never want to be a purveyor of doom and gloom. It’s not my style. But when I read these verses, I took them as a good "wake-up call."
Persecution is real. We will be mocked, and our words will be despised. People will scoff at us...
It’s what happens when you stand up for the Lord.
And things may get worse. I pray not – I pray for a revival in this country. A changing in the hearts of its people. I pray for God to move mightily.
But in the meantime, we're going to suffer – for our message, for our values, for our Lord.
It’s OK – He has a great promise for us.
"God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." (Matthew 5:11)
Are you feeling any persecution in your life? Are you willing to stand against it?
For me to live is Christ…
(Join me at Spiritual Sundays, with Charlotte and Ginger, and Super Sunday with Peggy)
"When in doubt, search God out!"
Freakishly interesting that you and I are on the same wavelenght this morning. Today and yesterday, I have been thinking a lot about this very topic.
ReplyDeleteI watch the news, and I shake my head...
Sometimes, the persecution can come from within our our Jerusalems, too. I live in the Bible Belt among many who are professed Christians.
They pride themselves on NOT being like "the world". But, oh... let someone expect to actually live by the standards set forth in The Word, and you are considered a side show.
The Enemy is alive and at work in this country today. He's working from the outside with the Christ hating politically correct bunch, and he's working an inside job at the same time
Stand firm, my friend. Stand firm. It's just the birth pains we feel.
Two things. 1st - it won't be too much longer before being a Christian is the minority. Perhaps then we can scream the same thing back "We're being ostracized for our beliefs. Change things to include us now. You must be politically correct!!!" 2nd - This HAS to happen for us & it will get worse. It's the leading up to the end times. So, bad as it is, it's comforting too. Comforting in the sense that what God foretold is indeed coming to pass! Praise God!! Great post, as always, Sharon! Hugs ~ Merana
ReplyDeleteWe have to be our childrens prayer warriors don't we. My son is in the medical field and it is hard ro find a lot of Christians there - some - he is - but I always pray he continues to be. God Bless you. sandie
ReplyDeleteIsn't this the same? (lol) Sharon... it's too early for me... we went on daylight savings time but my body did not want to participate... my comment is over at Bible Pick 'ems, OK? I suppose this lines up with all warfare these last few weeks... but you can trust that I'm praying for you. Attack get back, Jesus Christ reigns in Sharon and her household!!! "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the LION sleeps tonight... but He reigns and roams eternally".
ReplyDeleteHe's the Lion of Judah!
Love, peace, and JOY (with a big hug)
Peggy
I like how you said we need to pray for a revival, Sharon. I pray for that often and I pray that it starts with me (meaning for me to make sure I am in the truth and living the truth and spreading the truth and repenting when I need to repent). There is that subtlety of persecution here indeed. I'm defiitely for him and I will continue to do what I am doing now regardless if it is against the law or becomes politically incorrect, etc.
ReplyDeletehope you have a good Sunday!!
betty
AMEN my Westmont Warrier friend!
ReplyDeleteIt's the same thing my own heart is sensing all around me. The prayer for revival is what I grew up with in my home. My mom was saved during a great revival in the land of Norway. It was the prayer of their hearts and ministries right up to the day they went to heaven.
I see so much complacency all around, churches included. And yet I feel such a sense of urgency that the days are getting shorter.
I'm not a negative thinker, never have been, but I am a realist, and I know that beginning in my own life, the sense of desiring more of God is more real than ever before.
May it be so, for each of us!
I talk freely about my believe in our Lord.I pray that our Country will start to stand firm,it makes me so sad and angry when I think about this issue.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ginger
Debbie - Doesn't surprise me that we're on the same wavelength. Yes, sad but true - there's an inside job going on, too. And I'd have to agree - we are seeing birth pains. I pray that God will keep me strong - so that I can stand firm.
ReplyDeleteMerana - I'm so glad that you commented that this persecution is also oddly comforting. I agree. Though things are getting worse in this tired old world, there's a small part of me that feels excited. I keep looking up at the sky and wondering...Is it soon, Lord?!
Sandie - Yes, prayer warriors. I feel for our children - especially the boys. Sometimes I think it's harder for them to take a stand for Jesus. They can suffer from all that persecution that says it's "unmanly" to follow Him. May God give them strength.
Peggy - Yes, this is the same post as on Bible Pick 'Ems. I'm trying out something a little different. I've missed you. And I have to apologize for being a little "out of touch" the last couple of weeks. Been really busy, and also working on my first speaking engagement this Thursday. It's no surprise to me that my "warfare" has increased. Always appreciate your prayers. I usually respond to my Bible Pick 'Ems post later in the week, so I'll catch up with you there. Thanks for your encouragement - and I am glad that I serve the roaming and reigning Lion of Judah!!
Betty - Yup, I agree. It's all about the Truth - with a capital T. Something that we get persecuted for talking about. Absolute truth? Nonsense, the world says. But, it's the anchor I hold on to. I'm with you - allegiance to our King!
Sonja - Fellow Warrior!! Loved what you said about your mom. I also see the complacency, and I sense the urgency. I have felt such a compelling call in my life lately. A sense that I have work to do...NOW! That time is short. And yes, I want to know God and do His will more than ever.
Ginger - Oh, I couldn't agree more. I'm also sad and angry. America used to be a beacon - now I see that light starting to fade. Oh, that the light of life would shine in and through us. May God make us bold in spreading His Good News.
GOD BLESS!