"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9.) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9
As Christians we have so much to feel blessed about, and our blessings are innumerable. As Christians we do not have to wonder if persecution is coming but rather when and how it is coming. We have seen much in the news this last week about some Americas hatred for Christians. We had two states and two Governors in deep trouble for attempting to protect the Christian business owners. We saw a Pizza place in Indiana shutdown because they said they would never cater a Gay wedding. I believe it is unbelievable that some American people find it necessary to threaten Christians just to get their point across. Christians are not obligated to serve the ungodly people in this world. Just because the Government may choose to allow Gays to marry it does not mean Christians must service them. As a Pastor I will never perform a wedding ceremony for a Gay couple, nor will our church ever allow them to join or serve in our church. Some people attempt to equate the persecution of blacks with Gays but they are not the same. God never declared it an abomination to be black, but He did with being Gay. With this being said one cannot compare the two. When God has so much condemnation over one act it will always be condemned by God. With this being said, as Christians we are acting ungodly in accepting the sin as just. It is not my job to condemn anyone for any act, in fact God told us to love our enemies and to pray for them that despitefully use us. It is my job to preach the word of God and to tend to the Lord’s local flock that God has chosen for me to oversee. As a Pastor I will preach to anyone, including Gays. We do not disallow anyone from attending our services but that is as far as we will allow it to go. Neither I, nor our church condemns anyone, we hate no one, we simply as Christians adhere to Gods word like the pizza place in Indiana. But we will all be persecuted by many haters of God right here in America for standing on Gods word. The Lord reminds us in John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." This is why Paul told these folks at Corinth “We are troubled on every side…” because Satan controls the world system and he will control it to be Anti-God. The world hates Christians but is also hates the Jews, why, they are not the same as we are. The Jews are not Christians; they totally reject Jesus Christ. They are nothing like Christians, so why, why are they persecuted along with Christians? It is because of the world’s hatred for God. He is our one of very few things we have in common with the Jews. They hate us because of God. Paul went on to say “…yet not distressed…” The word means – Anguished – which means tormented or agonized – why would we be? As Christians we understand much more than the lost and we know what is going to be in years to come. We know that vengeance belongs to God and He will repay them. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19 Paul went on to say “…we are perplexed…” which means - to have no way out, that is, be at a loss – because while we disagree so much with the ungodliness there is nothing we can do but to allow it in the world. We see so much hate for Christians and must wonder why. Why would they want to close or burn down a pizza place because they will not service Gay weddings, because they are Christians? Yes, indeed and it is perplexing. However while we may be at the point of being perplexed, Paul said “but not in despair;” which means - to be utterly without a way – Because we know God has a way to resolve our persecution. If the States will not protect Christians then God will. I do not trust government, I trust only God, and I know that He has the power to protect me as His child. Paul concluded in verse 9 by saying while we are persecuted, God will not forsake us and while we may be cast down, we will not be destroyed, no matter how much they may hate us. Therefore I applaud the folks at the pizza place in Indiana and God has rewarded them with love gifts of almost a million dollars to continue. Folks, don’t be afraid to standup for God and the scriptures, because His power is greater than theirs.
