Christians and the world around us

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

I picked a non specific title, because I have a lot to say about the Christian living in the now and the world as it reacts to us, the true believers in Christ. It's not easy being a Christian. The temptation to conform to this world is great and now in many parts of the world it's becoming against the law. I read yesterday a man from Malta is under arrest for his interview. In the interview he confessed his faith and rescue from the life of a gay man. He didn't encourage or espouse a method for change, but only that he changed. That was enough for the government to arrest him.

Could do what this man from Malta did? He publicly confessed his faith, he didn’t push himself on others, he didn’t say believe or die, he simply said Jesus is my Savior. He said that he was giving up his sinful life and following the Bible and the life of Jesus. The man from Malta was standing against the world and the world is going to punish him for it.

Would you be able to stand with Jesus and stand in public against the world? I hope I could stand up for Jesus against the world. I see the future of many Christians around the world put in this situation. Have you heard about the persecutions in India, the churches being burned down in Uganda, or the Church in hiding In China? In many places in the world followers of Jesus are under attack. The churches are burning, their homes are destroyed, and they lose their homes, businesses and family.

I try to keep these Christian brothers and sisters in my prayers. I confess that I am not even close to anything that they encounter, but I pray if I do see the day I will not flinch in my heart and soul to confess my faith in Jesus. I always remember that Jesus said that when we are in situations of this character, the Holy Spirit will put the words in our mouth to help us. We of faith are never alone.

I pray Lord be with us all and keep us strong in faith. Guide us through the situation of trial that is before us. May the world never win. Even though we may lose our lives confessing our Faith in Jesus Christ, we know that in death we will be united with Christ in heaven. Amen.