What has been taken from you because you are a Christian?

Your house, your child, your income, your career, your possessions?

What has ever been threatened because you are a Christian?

Have you been slandered, taken beatings, been thrown in jail for the name of Jesus?

Our constitutional freedoms as Christians have been in bubble wrap for nearly 250 years.

But times are changing. The bubble wrap is being squeezed and I can hear the pop, pop, pop of our constitutional Christian comforts being threatened.

American Christians have not suffered persecution. We have never been placed in a position of choosing Jesus over our job, our comforts, our possessions or family.

We have not been threatened, or beaten or died for the name of Jesus.

“Tolerant” American culture is moving away from Christian tolerance and speeding towards hostility.

I believe our constitutional protections will end someday. I also believe it will be sooner than later.

Jesus promised trouble and persecution to believers in the beatitudes.

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. – Matthew 5:10-12

Paul guaranteed persecution.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2 Timothy 3:12

The Hebrew believers suffered persecution.

33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. – Hebrews 10:33-34

We are not greater than our Lord. If he suffered we will suffer too.

When the bubble wrap is gone how will the American Christian respond?

We counted the cost and will continue onward as a good soldier.The faithful are called to endure and we will be rewarded.

What about the rest? When the music fades and all is stripped away what will they do?

When persecution comes the true church will rise the rest will leave.

Jesus said that faith will be tested.

16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. – Mark 4:16-17

Plastic faith will melt under fire. True faith is refined and made pure.

When all the air in the bubble wrap is deflated and the American Christian is pressed to choose- Who and what will you choose?

Something to ponder now before the last bubble bursts.

Grace and peace

Mike