“Christians — Do not be Frightened!” Those are the Apostle Peter’s words paraphrased to his Brothers and Sisters in The Way as they suffered persecution for their faith in Jesus, their Deliverer.
Peter knew about fear — the fear he conquered once Jesus consoled him after His resurrection. Three times Jesus asked Peter “… do you love me?”
These days, some of you out there may be fearful as we sense many of our liberties may be taken away from us here in America.
In general, Americans have no real comprehension of Christian persecution. Yet daily, many in third world countries are losing their lives for their undying faith in Christ.
Please consider this rhetorical question: If you were brought before a jury, could you be convicted of your Christian faith?
You need not answer, but you should take a hard look at your sincere response. Perhaps you, too, would have denied knowing Christ just as Peter did three times after Jesus was taken prisoner before His crucifixion.
We have no way of knowing what lies ahead. Some of us may well face persecution one of these days.
Let me ask, if our freedom to worship was stripped from our rights as citizens, what would you do? Would you stop worshipping in public or in private? Those are important questions to consider.
In Romans 1:18-20, the Apostle Paul justifies God’s wrath during such tenuous times: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
So where does this leave us then as followers of Christ? I believe it puts us in the midst of the hopelessness that many are feeling.
Christ is the Hope they are seeking — even though they do not recognize their need for a Savior and Comforter. We can bring the Light that’s so needed in this Darkness that surrounds us.
Listen to these words of wisdom presented to believers in 1 Peter 3:15-16: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Let me share what I glean from this scripture as it pertains to our present problematic posture. We are in a time of transition and need to find our strength in the Holy Spirit and start preparing for those individual and group opportunities to present Christ as the best solution to our seemingly hopeless condition.
People will be looking for answers and we already have the answer. We must bring it in gentleness and respect so they will not turn away from the Truth that’s so easily accessible in Scripture.
Personally, over these past few months I’ve observed a growing number of my acquaintances who have been questioning where we go from here. They are more open to looking toward God than in the past.
I believe God has us right where He wants us. It’s time to draw near to Him before it’s too late!
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at jim@fourthquarterstrategies.com for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.