AN ENCOURAGED AND EMBARRASSED DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

As I read about and meditate upon the reality that disciples of Jesus Christ have always, at least in some places, paid a high price for following Him, I personally experience two realities:  encouragement (which is a good thing) and embarrassment (not so good).   It is not the acts of persecution themselves, however, that either leave me encouraged or embarrassed, but rather it is the response of Christ's followers.

When I read the price tags in the New Testament:

• They were arrested
• They were threatened
• They were beaten
• They were falsely accused
• They were put to death

...I discover the disciples

• rejoiced greatly
• prayed fervently
• worshiped heartily
• served selflessly
• and witnessed boldly

...even as they

• were pursued mercilessly
• suffered greatly
• and died brutally.

And when I read contemporary accounts of

• Syrian believers who choose to remain in hostile surroundings
• Pakistani Christians who forgive those who ignite bombs at the worship gatherings
• Nigerian disciples who, even at great risk, continue proclaiming "Jesus is Lord!"

...I am greatly encouraged.  What examples of gentleness, kindness, boldness, and forgiveness.

And then there is the American response to suffering for our faith.

It seems as though we think the following are examples of persecution:

• Protesters gathered outside our businesses
• Media campaigns opposing our biblical convictions
• Universities that forbid Christian groups from either gathering or holding to exclusive theological positions
• Removal of nativity scenes from public displays
• Television sitcoms that disparage our faith
• A federal judge's recent ruling that a tax exemption for housing allowances for ministers is unconstitutional

Numerous people are both speaking and writing (ranting really) about the ever increasing threat to our "religious liberty."  THEY CAN'T DO THIS!  WE WON'T TOLERATE THIS!  WE HAVE RIGHTS!!!

Where exactly is that in the Bible?  The only right I find is in John 1:12--"But to all who did receive {Jesus}, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God...."  No right to a pain free faith; no right to government-given perks; no right to proclaim ourselves to be followers of Jesus Christ without actually following His life of sacrifice, service, and suffering.  In the words of those great
"prophets" at ESPN:  "C'mon, man!"

It is this response to "persecution" that leaves me grossly embarrassed.  Scriptures calls us, not to revolt, but to rejoice; not to whine, but to worship; not to pout, but to praise; not to sue, but to serve; not to loathe, but to love.  We can learn much from our brothers and sisters throughout the world who know what real persecution is, but beyond that, know how to live like Jesus in the midst of rejection and reviling.  

I am also slightly embarrassed to even be writing about such a topic.  My own experience of suffering for my faith hardly deserves mention.  I merely believe realities are changing at a breakneck speed.  We become shocked when we hear that the price of a gallon of milk may rise to $7.00 or more per gallon in the near future.  Of course, this is all speculation.  What I can emphatically say is this:  The price of following Jesus WILL sharply rise.  This is based, not on economic projections or political speculation, but on the authority of the Word of God.  When it comes, God will be faithful, as He has always been to His people.  May we be found full of faith, full of hope, full of love.