Trials

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.

1 Peter 4:12

Many of you have already heard or read about the persecution that is occurring against small Christian owed businesses across America. Below are a few examples;

-An Oregon administrative law judge ruled on Jan. 29, 2015 that the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa did, in fact, discriminate in 2013 when they declined to provide a wedding cake for a lesbian couple because it would have violated their Christian beliefs against same-sex marriage.

-New Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that two Christian photographers who declined to photograph a same-sex union violated the state’s Human Rights Act. One justice said photographers Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin were “compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives.” 

-Kelvin Cochran was fired from his job as the fire chief of Atlanta after he wrote a book that affirmed biblical morality. The book included references to homosexuality that angered the city’s LGBT community.

When Peter wrote his epistle to the first century church, Christians had not expected to be so persecuted for their faith. After all the Roman Empire was made up of many conquered countries with many different gods. So they were understandably surprised, troubled, and confused by their suffering. Perhaps they expected life to be full of blessing, benefits, and divine protection.

However, believers’ expectation for suffering should come as no surprise. Jesus told the apostles, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). We also have Paul’s warning to Timothy, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), and the apostle John’s warning, “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).

For Christians, even here in America, the confrontation with sin and the world often results in suffering, which is part of the promised cost of discipleship. Jesus warned all who would follow Him to count the cost, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”(Luke 14:28)

Peter went on to encourage all believers, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

So Christian, how will you respond when persecution and suffering come your way? Because it is coming if you belong to Him.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark