Thursday, March 27, 2008

How should we handle persecution?


I was reading in our local paper this past week about a group of pastors who are advocating armed guards in our church services.

Of particular interest was one from the church in Colorado where the recent shooting took place. I’m sure you remember hearing about that church. A gunman killed two people in a missionary training school, then drove a couple of hours to a mega-church, where he killed two in the parking lot, and entered the church heavily armed. A church volunteer serving as a security guard shot him before he could kill anyone else. Her bravery under fire certainly saved the lives of countless people.

But is it Christian? According to Scripture, we are told very clearly that if we live a life that honors Christ, we will be persecuted. In this country, especially in the past, that persecution has been limited to some who might avoid you at social gatherings, or perhaps a snide comment from time to time. We are all aware that we have it quite easy. Perhaps that is changing. We also know that in many places in the world, Christians are kidnapped, tortured, even killed for professing their faith. Rarely, if ever, do we hear of them fighting back.

We know that Christ was persecuted to death, and that as a lamb is silent before it sheerers, he was silent before the persecution he faced. We hear of several in the early church that were persecuted, and accepted it as part of their faith, even if it meant dying a horrendous death. They even felt honored that they would be seen as worthy of following in Christ’s footsteps.

How can they do that? How can they face persecution so bravely? Even almost willingly? Because they were following the example of Christ. Because they knew without a doubt that the Kingdom of God is so much better than this current kingdom. Because they know what they believe.

I’ve heard it said that statistically there is very little difference between American Christians, and the world around them. So perhaps armed security guards in American churches isn’t so far fetched. But is it Christian? Or is it one more example of our trusting in ourselves, rather than trusting in God?

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