“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
If we are honest with ourselves, past history and lived history (the present) tells us that Christians in the United States for the most part are not suffering for the sake of righteousness, nor are we being persecuted for doing what is right.
We need to own the fact that many see the church as either irrelevant or harmful because of our track record and continued pattern of hypocrisy, political power grabbing, concealing of abuse, failure to discipline heteropraxy in our pews, and loving of money and status.
We have done much to bring this upon ourselves, like the elder brother in the parable who thought he was always in the right with his father, but was as much far off as his prodigal brother. There is much need for deep lamentation and corporate, public repentance.
We have deceived ourselves into believing that it's really some liberal conspiracy against the church, when really, it's been our own failure to humbly repent for the sins done and righteousness left undone that has caused hostility and distrust toward the church.
The way forward is actually a turn back. We should not change facts, hide history, and revise the narrative. We should not try to balance the scales with an outpouring of good deeds to outweigh our evil deeds. We need to fall on our knees and cry for mercy to God.
Pray that our lampstands will not be taken away. Pray that individual souls and corporate bodies and institutions of Christians would grieve, repent, and repair damage done. Pray that our witness to the world would be completely different than what it has been.
Pray that we would walk in weakness, humility, and a willingness to say, "I'm sorry" and "I don't know" more than we say, "You're wrong" and "You don't know." Pray that we'd count all as rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ and being known as a Christ follower.
Pray that our arrogance of thinking we know the truth better than other Christians is replaced with a genuine love by which the world knows that we are Christ's disciples. Let us grow in ecumenical dialogue to show the world we believe we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let us reach out to the dechurched and those on the fence of leaving with love, grace, and understanding, not as scapegoats or cautionary tales to prove a point. Admit our failures to them tenfold before we even begin to try to speak gospel truth into their lives.
Let us stop talking about "winning" or "losing" when certain laws, policies, or people are voted in, enacted, or decided upon, as though the efficacy of the gospel or the well being of the church relies on political power and social acceptance.
Our marching orders are clear and the way is difficult because of our great failings and hypocrisy. But God is pleased when his people turn back to him.
