Steadfast When Opposed

Jesus taught that we should love even those whom would be considered to be our enemies. We are also directed to view opposition in spiritual terms. Jesus was put to death by those who were ignorant and hostile, yet God had a plan to redeem fallen humanity. Throughout the ages, Christ and Christians have faced opposition. In 1st Corinthians 16, Paul writes:
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

So, even though there will be those who oppose the message of the gospel, there are plenty of people who will be won by our faithfulness to proclaim the truth of Scripture through our mouths and the way that we live - and love others.  Sure, there will be people who do not understand, who do not wish to embrace the truth. But, we can be so convinced of the validity of that truth and confident in the presence of the Lord in us that we can courageously testify to the love and greatness of God.

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In John 15, Jesus elaborated on the nature of the opposition that His disciples would face. He said:
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.
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 keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

He then identified the root cause in verse 22: "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin."  No excuse - He told them the truth about their sinfulness and offered an antidote, but they rejected Him.  Because it involves surrender. 

A famous actor recently made the following statement: "“I do think there is an anti-Christian bias in Hollywood,” adding, “As soon as the David character in ‘The Last of Us’ started reading from the Bible, I knew that he was going to be a horrific villain.”  That is from the Faithwire website, which says that he also said, “Could there be a Bible-reading preacher on a show who is actually loving and kind?”

So, do you think that is quote from Kevin Sorbo?  Candace Cameron Bure?  Or her brother, Kirk?

No, that would be from one of the cast members in the hit TV show, The Office, Rainn Wilson.  And, indeed, the Faithwire story said that a Fox News report described the heinous activities in which the preacher and his cannibalistic ilk were involved in, and that they "were purportedly portrayed as justifying horrific actions by appealing to Scripture."

Wilson, according to an article at the Religion Unplugged website in 2020, said, "Baha’i culture places great importance on prayer and meditation as a way to unite people, apt tools during a time of polarization and “outrage culture..." He added, "No matter what your belief system, we can come together and pray...We have Jews, born-again Christians and agnostics who bring a poem. We’ll do just a real simple meditation sometimes and read some Baha’i prayers and read some stuff from the Bible and the Qur’an.”  So, he does not identify as a Christian.  But, he did make a valid point about negative attitudes toward Christianity.

Actor Stelio Savante is quoted in the Faithwire article, saying, "I [love] this tweet my fellow ‘My Super Ex Girlfriend’ cast-mate & agree with you wholeheartedly,” adding, “But unfortunately, Christophobia & Christophobic sentiment are alive & well in our industry.”  The article also notes:

Wilson is hardly the first person in Hollywood to notice how Christians are often framed and treated on TV and in movies. Lucas Black, a Christian actor who starred in the popular series “NCIS: New Orleans” before leaving the show in 2019, said working on the hit show was “the biggest eye-opener.”

“There’s a definite agenda to attack some of my beliefs and, you know, some of your beliefs as a Christian,” Black told “The Prodigal Stories Podcast” of his experience. “I learned a lot about people’s hearts, where they were coming from.”

This day we commemorate the ultimate act of anti-Christian bias - resulting in the death of the One from whom that faith practice takes its name.  He was at odds with the religious leaders.  He was a threat to the Roman Empire.  And, the people turned on him, including those that thought this "King" would come and overthrow the Roman oppression. Offered a choice to release the innocent Jesus or a common criminal, the people called for his crucifixion, and Pontius Pilate cooperated, thinking he would wash his hands of the execution of an innocent man. 

But it is not an unusual thing for Christians to meet with hostility; in fact, Jesus taught His disciples in John 15 that they would be hated because of Him.  But, we can exhibit the attitudes of trust, dependence, and joy even when we are persecuted. 

When we face opposition for our faith, the Bible teaches us that we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Hebrews 12 says:
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Jesus demonstrated the proper attitude toward suffering and told His disciples in John 16:33: " In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  Is there a bias against Christianity in some circles?  Absolutely.  But, our job is not to react to the hostility we face with anger, revenge, and retaliation.  Jesus could have called down fire from heaven and summoned angelic hosts to rescue Him - but He was devoted to His mission and was not about to abuse His power. We are to respond to opposition as Jesus did: with love. He asked His Heavenly Father to forgive those who put Him to death.  That doesn't mean that we are to be silent in upholding Biblical truth. But, we should also be willing to forgive and extend grace.