Surviving in a World that Rejects your Christian Views

There will always be times in our lives when we have to face and deal with rejection. No matter your walk in life, you experience rejection now and then. As a kid maybe the rejection was because you were too short, or too tall. Maybe the rejection was because you did not have a certain "look" or "style", or maybe your hair or skin wasn't the "popular" colour. Or maybe you have experienced rejection because of your faith/beliefs. Yes sadly too many of us experience rejection over such petty things, and yes indeed, it is NOT right, nor is it justified... and indeed it does hurt. I too have experienced far more than my fair share of rejection growing up when I was seen as the weird kid who was obsessed with reading her Bible during recess instead of playing with the other kids at school. I was teased, ridiculed, bullied and rejected for choosing not to conform to what my age peers deemed normal. And indeed, as an adult I still experience rejection now and then, and it can be very hurtful.

In the early days of Christianity, followers of Jesus were not accepted either. They often times were not just hated, but also hunted down and killed for no other reason than because of their faith. While for several hundred years Christianity did become one of the world's most influential religions with a predominantly large number of followers... such is no longer the case, as evidenced by the numbers of churches in the past couple of decades which have had to close it's doors due to lack of parishioners. And we find that today's Christians are again grappling with acceptance in this world. In some places in the world they are even being persecuted in the same manner as the early Christians had been. In spite of the world propaganda of "Tolerance" and "Acceptance" of people's differences... it still seems as if Christianity is ever increasingly becoming the target of Intolerance and Un-acceptance. But what is even more troubling in these times is the growing division that is occurring even amongst Christians themselves, and which is even transcending beyond the division of denominational lines in that no church has been immune. And what is the catalyst for this division?... Covid and the issue of "to Vax" or "not to Vax". Sadly I have witnessed some Christians who are in favour of the vaccination bullying and condemning those who are against it. And likewise I have witness Christians who are against the vaccinations ridiculing and condemning those who choose to vaccinate.

Ok I can understand the secular unbelieving world being against us Christians... but Christians against Christians? Oh my Lord, help us all! This is not how we should be behaving towards one another. Now there will always be people with different opinions, there will also be those with different interpretations of scriptures, and even different opinions on how we should practice our faith and which foods are kosher to eat, or not kosher to eat. And for this generation of Christians we now have the Covid vax vs. no vax debate. But have we forgotten what scripture says about such things? The Bible instructs that we are not supposed to quibble over such things, but we are to maintain unity amongst each other. Roman's 12:16 makes it clear that we (the Christian community) are to live in harmony with one another. And here are a few other scriptures that speak concerning how we should be with our fellow believers...

Hebrews 12:14

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Romans 12:18

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 14:13

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

I would like to hope that those scriptures alone would be enough to encourage any Christian to put aside differences in opinions and just keep living peaceably with one another, and praying for one another as we are instructed to in the Holy Scriptures. However, I can also understand that by the evidence of the times we are witnessing today that we are ever closer to the time of Christ's return; and that it has been written that in the end times that "Brothers will turn against Brothers"...

Matthew 10:21-23

“Brothers will turn against their own brothers and hand them over to be killed. Fathers will hand over their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and will have them killed. Everyone will hate you because you follow me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved. When you are treated badly in one city, go to another city. I promise you that you will not finish going to all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes again."

It is bad enough that there is growing anti-Christian sentiment and anti Christian values that our society all across the globe are increasingly espousing... and the growing hatred of our Godly values that is pervading this world; but now there is the great Covid debate that is further accelerating that division. However, let us be careful that we not allow this to divide Christian against Christian... as this is the way of our adversary the Devil, to divide and conquer.

So we have the above scriptures and more to guide us in how we respond to other Christians. But seeing we are at the cusp of the End times, the question of "How should we as Christians respond to the rest of the world in general in such times?", is still before us. As well as the question of, "How do we help and encourage fellow Christians to endure what we presently are enduring; and how do we endure what is yet to come?"

 We know from scriptures that in the end of days that there will be a great falling away... people who once professed to be followers of Christ will turn away to follow false doctrines, other religions, and/or to follow their own whims and fancies. We see this already, and dwindling numbers of congregants are forcing many churches to close. More and more people are instead seeking other religions and philosophies to find their sense of fulfillment, purpose, and belonging. As well, we see that government laws which were originally founded on scripture are being changed so as to not be in line with Biblical ordinances. We also know from scripture, that in the end times these former believers, along with the rest of the world, will turn against those who continue in truth following our Messiah Jesus Christ, and they will seek to put us to death. With all that we see happening in this world today, it is evident that the return of Jesus and the great Rapture may well be within our lifetime. But we know from scripture that before that time comes, we are to expect great hardships. In such times as are yet to come, our natural selves may be inclined to grieve, moan, and complain; and more folks may be tempted turn away from our faith in Jesus... but, I encourage you to instead hold strong to your faith, and without complaint for the hardships we may face, rejoice and praise God that the Rapture is soon coming.

We also need remember that the Bible never says that we will have a trouble free life where blessings will just fall at our feet every day if we follow Messiah Jesus. In fact the Bible does say we will have trials and tribulations... and It does say we are likely to face persecution... especially in the end times.

John 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world — on the contrary, I have picked you out of the world — therefore the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too.

But God’s word gives us encouragement in...

Luke 6:22-23

“How blessed you are whenever people hate you and ostracize you and insult you and denounce you as a criminal on account of the Son of Man.  Be glad when that happens; yes, dance for joy! because in heaven your reward is great. For that is just how their fathers treated the prophets.

James 1:12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Even Jesus foretold of the persecution that was and is to come and other troubles in the end times for those who follow Him in the time before His return...

Luke 21:10-13

Then he told them, “Peoples will fight each other, nations will fight each other, there will be great earthquakes, there will be epidemics and famines in various places, and there will be fearful sights and great signs from Heaven. But before all this, they will arrest you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons; and you will be brought before kings and governors. This will all be on account of me, but it will prove an opportunity for you to bear witness. ESV reads: "This will be your opportunity to bear witness." 

Luke 21:16-17

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends; some of you they will have put to death; and everyone will hate you because of me.

(Note: The book of Matthew 24 has a similar account of end times)

Ok, I agree it can be difficult to not be a little fearful of such times ahead. We are only human after all and it all does not sound very pleasant to have to endure. And we are mindful that the early followers of Jesus were faced with the same persecution, and indeed many were sent to their death for their faith. However, let us be reminded that in the book of Revelation we are encouraged to not be afraid in these times:

Revelation 2:10

Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Adversary is going to have some of you thrown in prison, in order to put you to the test; and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful, even to the point of death; and I will give you life as your crown.

Even prophets of old encouraged God’s people to not be afraid in difficult times:

Isaiah 41:13-14

For I, Adonai, your God, say to you, as I hold your right hand, ‘Have no fear; I will help you. Have no fear, Ya’akov, you worm, you men of Isreal! I will help you”, says Adonai; “Your redeemer is the Holy One of Isrea’el.

So we know now what not to do (specifically: do not fear), and that we are "to remain faithful even unto the point of death". But what else are we to do in such times? The following three scripture come to mind to encourage us...

Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

2 Timothy 4:3-5

For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear. Yes, they will stop listening to the truth, but will turn aside to follow myths. But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the good work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires. 

2 Corinthians 4:6

For it is the God who once said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of the Messiah Jesus.

So my friends, I pray that you will always stand strong and firm in the Lord’s encouragement, so that you may never be discouraged by the enemy in these times. Keep praying for each other, and encourage one another ALWAYS. May your light always be shining out in the darkness leading others to our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5 - May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.

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