“For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved – so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!” 1 Thess. 2:14-16
Devotional Thought For The Day
It is rather amazing how some things haven’t changed for 2000 years. Christianity has been rejected by the majority of mankind from its inception – and we can understand the difficulty of getting past all of the cultural and intellectual obstacles that are inculcated into people which make it challenging to grasp and embrace the good news of God’s great love for us, His gift of redemption and salvation, and His promises for the future, the promise of resurrection and eternal life in a new heavens and a new earth. [Is. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13] We have the same kinds of obstacles inculcated into people in our own country through education and culture. What is not understandable or in any respect acceptable is the persecution that is fomented around rejection of God’s love and His promises [invitations]. The prophets experienced this first, Jesus spoke about them in some of His parables; and Jesus also experienced the same rejection and persecution [read the Gospels sometime looking for the conflict]. So also, as Paul relates, and as we can read in the book of Acts, the apostles were persecuted and driven out – and then hindered by both Jews and Gentiles in their efforts to speak the saving Word of God’s salvation to others. The same persecution and hindering and even killing continues to take place in many parts of the Middle East and elsewhere to this day. Why?
It remains somewhat of a mystery, but Paul explains that all of this is a matter of rebellious, recalcitrant, impenitent, and unbelieving human beings filling up “the measure of their sins.” Whether they are fully cognizant or not, this is a deliberate attempt to “displease God” – particularly because it conflicts with His good and gracious will that “all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Tim. 2:4] It is also a form of misanthropy, opposing and hating mankind by trying to deny them the most important blessings from God – a new heart, a new and loving way of life, peace with God, and eternal life. It is one thing to reject this for oneself, it is quite another to do all that one can to keep others locked into unbelief, spiritual misery, and eternal condemnation. How much hatred does this require? But there is a measure to all of this, and when it is filled up God’s “wrath” will come upon them and they will be destroyed. And this is true not only of those who violently persecute the church, but also of all who seek to “displease God” and “oppose mankind,” hindering and attempting to negate the good and blessedness of God’s salvation. Included in this group are all of the highly urbane people we have met throughout life – professors, scholars, wealthy and successful people, socialites, politicians, and sadly, even some churchmen – who also oppose God’s will, erecting cultural and intellectual barriers and obstacles to people coming to faith. They too are on a schedule that is measured by the amount of their sins against the Gospel. Lord, have mercy!
So what of us, we who are Christians living in the world today, a world that remains hostile toward God, His Christ, and His servants? Are we also “imitators” of the persecuted churches and Christians of the past 2000 years? Are we still standing up for Christ and doing all that we can to extend the message of God’s love in Christ Jesus so that others “might be saved”? More and more, Christians are called upon to clarify what they really are – in terms of discontinuity and disassociation from the culture, values, lifestyle, and goals of the people around us. I suppose this has always been the case, but for a time the illusion could prevail that America was in line with Christian values and purposes, and that the vast majority of our fellow citizens were not opposed to God but seeking His blessings. It is no longer the vast majority that postures this way; in fact, it seems that the vast majority intentionally postures the other way, not to the degree yet of persecuting Christians, but certainly in rejecting God’s love in Christ and the new life of the church. And many see nothing wrong with this; in fact, many see this as superior – intellectually, culturally, morally, and socially. This is the reality of the culture today, and it shouldn’t surprise us if persecution is not far behind.
What will strengthen and sustain us in faith and Christian life is the sweetness and comfort and power of God’s love in Christ Jesus. If we continue in Christ’s Word, growing in our knowledge of God’s great love, and also His wisdom and power, we will persevere and endure whatever comes our way, knowing that time is on our side, that the wrath will come on those who hate God and the greater good of mankind. Therefore, we will also become even more compelled to reach out to others with the Gospel, regardless of the cost to us personally. In this we will be genuine Christians, imitating faithful Christians of all times and places, and in full fellowship with and conformity to the sufferings of Christ and His servants. It is to this that we have been called; may God grant us the same power and determination to allow nothing to separate us from His love.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, have mercy and pity upon Your dear people today who face all manner of hardship, persecution, and even death for the sake of Your Name. Grant us courage to take up their cause and to stand with them. Strengthen our integrity so that we do not succumb to an ambiguous witness to the people around us when subtle persecution is threatened. Give us courage for what may be coming to Your church in the future, and keep us focused on the true glory that is soon to come. Amen.