FREE TO WORSHIP PRIVATELY

"The Emperor Diocletian has issued a new order, requiring all people to attend the religious/political ceremony designed to unify the nation and revive lagging patriotism within the empire. Specifically, this ceremony involves burning a bit of incense and saying simply, 'Caesar is Lord.' Those who do this receive a seal of approval; those who don't might well be put to death.

" . . . they would actually not have to stop worshiping the true God; after they have sworn their allegiance to Caesar as Lord, they are free to privately worship whatever god they wish. Every religion is tolerated; freedom to choose one's own god is generally accepted. Indeed, there is richness in diversity."

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody 1994
p.43

Worship your God. You absolutely have that freedom. But -- do it privately. Take down the crosses, remove the Ten Commandments. Hide your nativity scenes. And please (!) don't pray in school or in public. Some may be offended. And for the sake of peace, diversity, and fairness, we can't have that.

Every religion is tolerated; dare I say encouraged? Every religion, it seems, except Christianity. I feel that way; and others around me express that irritation often. BUT why are we surprised?

"This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed."
John 3: 20 NIV

Symbols of, and especially words of Christ expose sin. They expose our sins, as well. Christians, however, use such "lights" to also remind them of God's forgiveness. 

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you . . ."
John 15: 18-19 NIV

We don't belong to the world, so it hates us.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets."
Luke 6: 22-23

Sometimes, this presents a quandry for me. The closer the coming of Jesus becomes, the more hatred (intolerance) of Christianity there is likely to be. We have already lost freedoms of expressing our faith. There's a good chance that pattern will continue. Do we "accept" what we "expect?" Do we quit standing up for Christ and worship privately?

Here's my thought, even if I don't like it. I believe we have to continue fighting for our freedoms, so long as we have the freedom to do so. But . . . I think we need to do so for the love of Christ and for the people He died for, knowing this: we may suffer for doing so. The suffering, my friend, is temporary. For those who don't know Christ, their suffering is just beginning. When we are willing to suffer for our faith, doesn't it speak to the truth and reality of Christ? Perhaps, our willingness to suffer will draw others to Him.

EverGrowing
Lonnie