Hope Even in the Midst of Hostility

Jesus spoke to His disciples and gave them clarity in order to prepare them for what would be facing for the sake of His name. In John 15, we read:
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

The principles of the gospel are true for us, no matter what the circumstances.  When all seems well around us, we can rejoice in the Lord.  But, when we encounter opposition because of our faith or just because we are living in a fallen world, the Scriptures gives us encouragement and direction on how to respond.  And, we know that God walks with us - He will prepare us and will strengthen us when we face adversity in this life.  Adversity, it will come, and it may be great; but we serve a God who is greater!

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We are people of hope, called to radiate a sense of trust in Christ.  Romans 5 says:
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

In Birmingham beginning on Friday night, the Greater Birmingham Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham will be occurring.  It promises to be an extraordinary time of ministry, including messages of hope from Mr. Graham, centered around the gospel.   And, we know that even in the midst of difficulty, we can possess hope in Christ.

Graham, when interviewed by Todd Starnes of Fox News after the Supreme Court decision on marriage, responded:

“I believe God could bring judgment upon America.” He told Starnes that Christians should be prepared for persecution in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling on homosexual marriage.

He said, “You better be ready and you better be prepared because it’s coming,” adding, “There will be persecution of Christians for our stand.”

But, we can know that as we make up our minds to stand strong on the principles of the Scriptures, we can have hope in our hearts.  In an age that is characterized so often by hopelessness, we can trust in the unshakable promises of God.

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We are called to be a strong witness, people of conviction in Christ, who stand strong even though we may encounter hostility. The apostle Paul wrote this in 2nd Timothy 3:
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

A poll released last week shows that while a majority of Americans would like to see what is termed, "a commonsense solution that both protects religious freedom and gay and lesbian couples from discrimination," when pressed, they would overwhelmingly come down on the side of religious freedom, according to a report on the Washington Examiner website.

The poll was conducted by Caddell Associates.  Pollster Pat Caddell, in a memo, said, "When asked which was more important, by a 4 to 1 ratio, voters said protecting religious liberty (31 percent) over protecting gay and lesbian rights (8 percent)." He added that most of the rest said both are important.

One of the questions asked was this: "Suppose a Christian wedding photographer has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same sex marriage. If a same sex couple wanted to hire the photographer for their wedding, should the photographer have the right to say no?"

A huge 82 percent said yes.

And, respondents were overwhelmingly opposed to government officials forcing people to perform services that violate their religious beliefs.  Caddell said, "More than two thirds (68 percent) disagreed that the federal and state government should be able to require by law a private citizen to provide a service or their property for an event that is contrary to their religious beliefs. Only 18 percent agreed. Indeed, 51 percent strongly disagreed with this."

Also, the memo stated, "When asked whether it should be up to the federal government to determine what constitutes legitimate religious beliefs only 11 percent agreed and a massive 79 percent disagreed. Indeed, even two thirds of those on the 'left' of the segmentation disagreed."

There are several takeaways here.  For one thing, religious freedom is and has been an important principle in the life of our nation, an entity that should be vigorously defended.   I had an interesting conversation with Brian Walsh of the Civil Rights Research Center earlier this week, and he discussed the importance of preserving religious rights.  We recognize that religious freedom is contained within the First Amendment.  As Walsh contends, it is a civil right.  And, the Founders recognized the significant role of religion as an essential component in the foundation of our nation.

I think this poll can also highlight the way that the judiciary is out of step with the views of many Americans.  When you consider that over 8-in-10 people in this survey would side with a wedding photographer who does not want to provide services for a gay wedding ceremony, you can see a healthy respect for religious considerations.  The New Mexico Supreme Court however, decided that a wedding photographer was out of line when she attempted to act according to her deeply held beliefs.  And, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.  As the Alliance Defending Freedom website states, one of the New Mexico justices wrote that the photographers “now are compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives,” adding “it is the price of citizenship.”

Such are the times in which we live - times of challenge, but times of opportunity to make sure that our faith is strengthened.   We realize that there will be those who do not accept our deeply-held religious convictions.  So, we gear ourselves up for that, and we continue to prepare and stand strong. We can develop a mindset of diligence, in which we follow Christ's teachings, no matter what the cultural consequences.  And, remember that the New Testament was birthed during a time in which the atmosphere was not affirming to people of the Christian faith.  That gives insight and assurance for us as we seek to live out the teachings of Scripture today.