The Apostle Peter pointed out that
whenever persecution comes, Christians have a duty to stand firm, praise God,
and continue speaking out. He reminded
us:
“But
even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not
be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to
make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is
in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that
in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in
Christ will be put to shame” (1
Peter 3:14-16).
Sadly, nations once known as strongly Christian, but which have grown increasingly secular, are becoming less free than ever before. They’re limiting free speech because they disagree with what the Bible says about sexual behavior … just to name one example.
Under this 21st century standard, John Adams and other Founding Fathers would have been shunned for Adam’s declaration that:
“The
general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general
principles of Christianity. I will avow
that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of
Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of
God.”
As we follow in Christ’s footsteps seeking “to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11), we may be persecuted in this increasingly secular and confused culture, but we should never waver in proclaiming His Gospel. As Jesus reminds us:
“If
they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they
will keep yours also. But all these
things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One
who sent Me” (John
15:20-21).
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