Praise God that in the United States of America we do not face the same persecution for our Christian faith that many before us did. As well as the persecution that many in other countries still face to this very day. That being said we can see change coming quickly. Many would like to silence the voice of the church because it speaks against their beliefs and feelings of right and wrong. Condemning the acts that the Bible refers to as sinful and upholding the biblical example of life. In times such as these, Christians must bind together in prayer. Seeking boldness from God just as the Apostles did in the early days of the church.
It may feel as though it is time to pray the prayers of protection and deliverance from or even wrath upon those who seek to silence us but that isn’t the case at all. When the early church sought God after the religious leaders tried to silence them they didn’t seek those things. Because they knew that the very people who were working against them were the very same ones they were trying to save. So instead they prayed for God to give them boldness to keep preaching the Gospel. A prayer God answered mightily giving them the boldness to stand against all manner of persecution head-on. Never wavering from the message they were called to deliver. Regardless of being threatened, beaten, and imprisoned.
Acts 4:29–31 (ESV)
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:40–42 (ESV)
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Our situation today is no different than theirs was 2,000 years ago. Those who hope to silence the church and keep us from our mission today are still the very ones we hope to see saved. They are the sick who are in need of a doctor as Jesus described. We must not be surprised when those lost in sin act in sin. Or when they war against the church. Because they are simply following the lead of the enemy. Just as every Christian once did before they were saved by God’s grace and mercy.
Mark 2:17 (ESV)
17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Colossians 3:5–7 (ESV)
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
We need to see those who seek to silence the church as what they are. Lost souls in need of God’s salvation. Our calling as the church is to help such people not fight against them. That is why our prayers in this time must be for the boldness to stand firm in what we believe. Not for more power or to watch those fighting against us be taken down. We must pray that God will empower us to keep sharing the truth of scripture. Regardless of the threats and anger that come our way.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Boldness isn’t just about the willingness to keep sharing our beliefs though. The church must also pray for boldness to keep holding to biblical truth. Praying that we will never attempt to alter our doctrine in an attempt to lessen the persecution we face. Because we know that there is only one truth and that is contained within the fullness of scripture. Any attempt to change or remove something in God’s word causes everything else within it to crumble. As well as the fact that altering the scripture is a sinful act. As Paul wrote we cannot hold to any other truth than that which was delivered to us by the Apostles and Prophets. Regardless of the reason for change, anyone may try to falsely offer.
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Revelation 22:19 (ESV)
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Galatians 1:6–9 (ESV)
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Our country is in need of what we as God’s people have. Every day we encounter lost people blindly headed for destruction. We must shine our light on the path before them and do all we can to point them to God. The healing this nation needs can only come from the Lord. But it will not come if we as the church are too worried and afraid to keep sharing the truth with everyone we can. Paul wrote how can people believe if they have not heard? And how can people hear unless someone tells them? And how can someone tell them unless they are sent? Scripture declares that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Yet, this word will never make it to those who need it in order to build their faith if the church isn’t bold enough to speak out.
Romans 10:14–15 (ESV)
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Boldness is what we need most as we continue to watch our nation change around us. It is not the time to change doctrine or retreat back from the world. Scripture never gives a circumstance in which the people of God are called to hide or alter their faith. Instead, in every circumstance we are called to stand firm on the truth that has set us free. Even when facing shame, ridicule, and even death. But the only way we will be able to stand firm is to pray for God to give us boldness. Otherwise, we won’t stand strong as the first church did in the face of persecution. Without God’s strength, we will simply fold under the pressure and lose any standing of faith we have left.
Now it must be said that being bold for the faith doesn’t mean being hateful, attacking, mean-spirited, angry, arrogant, or any things else that go against the fruit of the spirit. That’s not how the bold believers before us acted as they stood strong and built the church we know today. Instead, they simply declared the truth and accepted the consequences imposed by the authorities for doing so. They embodied the teaching of Jesus to turn the other cheek and to even be thankful for being persecuted. We must follow this example as well as the teaching of the rest of scripture. Such as that calls us to answer those who oppose us gently with patience and kindness.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Acts 5:28–32 (ESV)
28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Acts 5:40–42 (ESV)
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Matthew 5:39 (ESV)
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV)
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
A lot is changing around us and there is much the church should be praying for in these times. But right now the greatest thing we can pray for is boldness. Boldness to stand firm in the face of persecution. Without the boldness that God is able to provide, we will simply crumble under the pressures we face. Never fulfilling the call placed on us by the Lord to make disciples of all people. Including those we so often confuse with our enemy. Who is nothing more than as lost as we once were and in need of the truth we now possess. May God make us as bold as the early church so that we are willing to share His message regardless of threats and danger.
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