How Could This Happen?

There is a common sentiment among conservative evangelicals that we must “win back” America for God particularly in the public sphere. Found within that is a growing sense of shock or even horror at the present situation with the continual eroding of acceptance toward Christianity and particularly the cross. Even now there is a law suit by the American Atheist association against the placement of two steel cross beams from the World Trade Center in a WTC memorial. The reason simply being the beams resembled a cross and many rescue workers found great solace in it. Some have even marveled at this attack because they are not concerned about the Star of David that was cut from the metal beams or even other religious paraphernalia coming from the WTC site. Why the specific focus on Christianity? Rather than ask why us, I feel the real question should be why is it only starting now? Why are so many Christians surprised at the various attacks against their faith? Maybe the American Christian needs to reexamine their Bible looking for what the New Testament authors expected from the non-believing world around them. Maybe if we stand for the cross as much as they once did we should expect the same sort of treatment.

I know this will make for a longer post, but consider the following passages, all quoted from the ESV.

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Matthew 5:10-12 - ¹⁰ "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ ¶ "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 15:18-21 - ¹⁸ ¶ "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. ²¹ But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 5:41 – ⁴¹ Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

Romans 8:16-17 - ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Philippians 1:29 - ²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Philippians 3:10 - ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

2 Thessalonians 1:4-7 - ⁴ Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. ⁵ ¶ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering-- ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

2 Timothy 4:5 -⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (note it does not say “avoid suffering” but “endure”)

1 Peter 2:19-23 - ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Take up your Cross, and follow Jesus.