How easy it is for us to find comfort in the distance between us and hardship. We know famines happen, but not here. We know political dissent is repressed, but not here. We know Christians are persecuted. But not here. The first century church was known for its capacity to identify with brethren in differing nations, experiencing different hardships. We, on the other hand, can be counted on to support famine relief and say a prayer for the persecuted. And then we can be counted on to forget.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Our Lord, however, is bringing the blessing of persecution closer to home. In the past month two ministers of the gospel, one in Canada and the other in England, surely the two nations on the planet most like our own, have been dragged off to jail for the crime of publicly preaching and proclaiming the Word of God. Another congregation, also in Canada, has had its building seized by the state for the same offense. Two offended the ruling elite by not buying into the bio-terror and meeting to worship the One whom they fear. The other offended the ruling elite by reading what they Bible has to say about marriage being between one man and one woman.
Removing the Offense?
The temptation we face, knowing this is coming near, is to look for ways to avoid trouble. How can we keep from stepping on the landmine, from walking into the crosshairs of the state? How can we not offend, while not removing the offense of the gospel? While it is certainly possible to offend without the offense of the gospel, there is no way to remove the offense of the gospel and keep the gospel. What we fail to realize is that we are hated because of our very reason for being. The offense is not a bug, but a feature. We are hated for acknowledging that we are sinners. We are hated for affirming our dependence on His grace. We are hated for believing we are forgiven and beloved of the Father.
No King But Christ
The greatest offense of the gospel to the world, however, is right here- Jesus reigns. They, in the end, just as it was in the first century, can abide no ruler above them, nor anyone who acknowledges such. The Roman government didn’t give a hoot what any of its citizens thought about sin and substitutionary atonement or resurrection or repentance or forgiveness. They were perfectly content to let Christians believe in these things and proclaim them to the world. As long as the Christians were willing to confess the one sacred truth of Rome, Kaiser ho Kurios– Caesar is Lord.
The Blood of the Saints
Christians were dipped in pitch, tied to stakes and lit on fire to bring light to Nero’s garden parties. They were crucified, one beside the other for mile after mile on the Appian Way. They were used for entertainment as wild beasts tore them to pieces in the Coliseum. Not because of any theological dispute. Not because of a philosophical dispute. But because of one dispute- who is Lord. The very first creed of the church was this, Christos ho Kurios– Christ is Lord.
No Neutral Ground
We will be able to live in peace with our neighbors. We will not have to face the loss of our church buildings, jail time for preachers, social ostracism nor death, so long as we are willing to deny the Lordship of Christ. Gather or not. Mask or not. Vaccinate or not. Approve perversion or not. It’s all just distraction and misdirection. No strategy will save us. We’re going to have to serve somebody.