July 4th, 2023: Being Persecuted

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10

It is worth reflecting on why we may not have experienced persecution as Christians. Perhaps it is because we have not boldly stood up for what we believe in. Differentiating Christians from non-believers has become challenging, as we often shy away from expressing our convictions. Our fear has silenced our voice in our culture, leading us to avoid making any waves that may be perceived as negative.

Our priorities have become distorted, and we struggle to discern God's voice and follow His guidance. We have unwittingly embraced the world's agenda, compromising our Christian convictions by passively "affirming" societal norms. We have exchanged genuine godliness for superficial niceness, and forgiveness has been overshadowed by trivializing sin. We may speak the language of believers, but we deny its transformative power. Our desire for acceptance from the world has overshadowed our hunger for spiritual transformation through God's Holy Spirit.

It is a familiar question: "If we were accused of being Christians, would there be sufficient evidence to convict us?" This question challenges us to evaluate our lives, actions, and character. Are we living in a way that clearly reflects our faith? Do our words, choices, and conduct align with the teachings of Christ? It is essential for us to genuinely examine ourselves and ensure that our lives bear witness to our Christian identity.