The Hope We Have
For hundreds of years, churches in America have endured a peaceable, free, non-persecution freedom of worship. Historically, black churches in the south, in the horrid era of hatred towards black brothers and sisters, were burned. Scattered throughout the history of America, persecution existed in some form, but not in the form we read about in the Scriptures. A constitution that America abides by has prevented and enshrined freedom of religion. But for how long?
The Scriptures make it clear in Paul’s last letter to Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). I know there are different forms of persecution, some soft and some hard. Many Christians have faced severe persecution in the past and some still do in hard, closed countries like North Korea, China and Yemen. Laws in these countries clearly prevent conversion tactics, and worship is monitored. But not here in the United States. The level of persecution is in a form of soft persecution. And it’s growing.
In the very liberal state of California, the governor has ordered churches closed. In context, many churches abided by the recommendations of leaders (Romans 13) in the beginning of the pandemic. Still, many are using guidelines to prevent the spread of a virus. And the most recent battle between Grace Community Church and LA County in California, which resulted in favorable ruling for the church, the county retaliated by revoking the church’s parking lot lease it has had for 45 years. Talk about a childish, playground bully act. Revoking a parking lot lease isn’t up front persecutions, but it’s an indirect way to do so.
What always happens is soft tyranny leads to more stringent and hard persecution. First, it’s not meeting unless authorized by authorities. Second, it’s speech monitoring. When a pastor or teacher preaches against homosexuality or gay marriage or abortion, the leaders can fine or imprison such. Churches in America are facing issues that have never been an issue here. But are we surprised…?
Well, you shouldn’t be surprised at all. Why? Because the Scriptures tell us of such, 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” In America, we have been blessed to worship freely. It has also produced a vast amount of false teaching. Pastor preaching a social gospel, a wealth gospel and a seeker friendly gospel. Do not think that America’s secular leaders and even those from the “religious” culture in America won’t become the leaders of persecution.
Let’s look at what the Scriptures say about the truth of hatred for the gospel. Acts 8:1a “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” In the parable of the sower and the seed, it was persecution that proved they had no saving genuine faith, Matthew 13:21, “Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” Acts 11:10a, “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose.”
The persecution comes from both religious and secular authorities, Acts 13:50 “But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.” Christians do not place their hope in secular or worldly status. Our hope is cemented in the hope of the gospel. Thus, we respond to these difficulties and perilous times differently.
Paul asks a series of great questions concerning persecutions. In Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” 2 Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Thessalonians 1:4 “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” 2 Timothy 3:11 “My persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.”
I believe persecutions will weed out the wheat from the tare. If superficial, external, prosperity gospel driven ministry is what you have banked on, when trials hit, you will fail. But if genuine, saving faith is what raised a dead man to life and your hope is in a sovereign God, then all the threats and persecutions will only bring you closer to seeing the Lord. You press on through these things because you’re home isn’t here.
In closing, I have found comfort and hope in Proverbs 16:4 “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” How can I find hope and comfort in that. Because nothing happens nor is anyone elected, wicked or not so wicked, that God does not use for his purpose and plan. If an anti-Christian, baby-slaughtering, gay-marriage-affirming, non-religious-freedom person is elected to the highest office in the land, it’s not outside the purpose of God’s plan.
Brothers and sisters, we press on because he has redeemed us. He has made us his own. We are his children. Because of this, we trust our Father’s plan.
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