Sometimes when I am talking, my thoughts get quite a ways beyond what I am saying and I become a bit tongue twisted and confused.  The upside is that I usually don’t have the same problem when I’m writing.  Usually.  I have had a lot of thoughts about where I want to go with this post but am not quite sure how to get there, but I’ll jump right in and see if I can make some sense of it.

I have observed a growing hostility towards Christians.  I have a few Facebook friends, acquaintances from my “school days”, that are not believers, who I have stayed in touch with through the social media.  Through some of their posts, and even some comments made on Christian posts, I have seen a number of very antagonistic remarks made about those who believe God and put their faith in Jesus Christ—particularly high profile Christians.

Some of the attitudes I’ve noted stem from a perceived intellectual or “moral” superiority, information gathered from sources that support opinions of skepticism, and assuming guilt—finding fault and condemning those who stand up for faith and the Word of God, the Bible.  Essentially, many of those who claim tolerance in a liberal sense, speak and practice intolerance towards those who choose to live their lives under the authority of God, our Creator.

I cannot begin to come up with all of the reasons people give for resenting and despising Christians, no need to because there is one underlying principle—darkness hates the light, and there is a war being waged between the forces of the spiritual underworld against God’s kingdom and authority.  Granted, there have been some violent and stupid things done in the name of Christianity that definitely cast a shadow on the Name of Christ, yet I find it interesting that our society can, for the most part, differentiate extreme Islam from most Muslims, but not acknowledge the difference between extreme religious activities supposedly performed in the name of Jesus, that in no way reflect the character of our Savior.  

Yet I feel a stabbing pain in my heart when I read or hear condemning comments about Christians—it is interesting, if you examine the statements, they are emotional criticisms based on perceived faults or personal inconsistencies.  The reality is that critics find what they are looking for—something to condemn; the same thing happened to Jesus, the perfect Son of God.

Antagonistic attitudes cannot surprise us because scripture assures us “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).  The apostle Paul, in speaking to Timothy, goes on to say, “But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived…from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v. 15, 16).

As easy as it might be to make compromises in order to create a “gospel” acceptable to most people, with an attitude of trying just “to get along”, scripture does not teach that.  Instead, the Bible teaches an unattainable standard apart from the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit—“Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect ” (Matthew 5:48).  The good news is that, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

The “prologue” to Jesus’ teaching about being perfect has everything to do with our response to those with antagonistic attitudes:  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven, for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43-45).

The prophet Daniel’s attitude toward the sorcerers and wise men in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom speaks volumes about our relationship to those who oppose us—although they served foreign gods and demonic spirits, when Daniel may have sought political advantage by allowing them to be destroyed, he instead interceded on their behalf; “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon…” (Daniel 2:24).

There is no doubt in my mind that things are going to wrap up here on earth and Jesus will return.  I once thought being prepared for persecution and end times was about proof texts; instead, I believe it is about reflecting the life of Jesus in the world, and remembering that, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.  If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” (Matthew 10:24, 25).