Intolerance of Christians and their beliefs is growing

Persecution of Christians has increased drastically around the world within the last few decades.  There is a growing intolerance of Christians even in Within the United States we have always had a very high sense of safety and freedom to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as live our lives based upon His teachings.  That is now changing as well. 

John 15: 18-27, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

Our nation was founded on Christianity with the Congress of the United States even endorsing a printing of the Bible.  Known as the Aitken’s Bible after the printer Robert Aitken, it was published to ensure copies of the Bible would be available to Americans since the war made it nearly impossible to import them.  Imagine the outcry today if congress took on the task of examining and referring a printing of the Bible to the American people. 

We now are seeing people put in jail within the United States based upon their Christian beliefs.  Others are being heavily fined and losing their businesses because of their faith. Court Clerk Kim Davis was arrested and put in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gays following the decision by five judges on the Supreme Court who decided to overturn the clear voice of the people. 

In Colorado Masterpiece Cake shop owner Jack Phillips has been heavily fined by the courts for refusing to bake a cake for another pair.  The court ruled that he could not cite his religious beliefs for refusing to participate in their ceremony.  Photographers are facing lawsuits for refusing to photograph those ceremonies as well. 

Instead of going to other officers where a clerk is willing to give them a license, instead of going to a different bakery or a different photographer, these people are attempting to force their way of life on others who clearly oppose it.  This type of activity wouldn’t have been allowed to happen twenty years ago but is rapidly spreading today. 

Christian students face ridicule from classmates and even some teachers at all levels of education.  Actors who publicly admit to being Christian quickly disappear from Hollywood movies.  The same things happens to professional athletes as well.  

We can no longer remain silent about, neither can we accept the evils this world pushing ungodliness on us. 

A few questions that we all need to ask ourselves and discuss within our churches is this.  Will we stand for the truth and work to protect our freedom to worship and live our faith?  Will you stand with others who stand up against persecution?  Or, will you remain silent as your neighbors are taken?  What will you do when they knock on your door if you don’t stand with others?

The persecution will separate true believers from those who are not.  While the costs to the Christians can and will be high, the rewards given by the Lord are far greater than we could imagine. 

Let’s pray for someone who is lost.