July 1, 2018 Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Dear Friends in Christ,
Larry Hurtado has written a book entitled, “Why On Earth Did Anyone Become A Christian In The First Three Centuries?” These are some of the reasons he gives for not becoming a Christian back then. Persecution. St. Paul notes in our text, the churches of Macedonia underwent “a severe test of affliction.” We know of the martyrdoms of Stephen and James, Polycarp and Ignatius. These weren’t just physical costs. Early Christians encountered tensions with families and acquaintances and co-workers. People paid a heavy price for their beliefs.
We must remember that pagan culture permeated every aspect of life from sports, social clubs, the arts, military membership, political groups, trade associations. Hurtado writes, “Indeed, practically any formal dinner included ritual acknowledgement of deities.” Christians were rarely asked to denounce Christ but they were expected to raise a cup to the god or gods of the day. Failure to do so could result in social death, political banishing, and family discord.
What god or gods are we expected to raise a toast to in our day? The god of political correctness? You may be bad mouthed for a stand you take. The god of money? Who wouldn’t want the American dream? The god of family? What is wrong with you why don’t you have your kid in every activity known to man? The god of celebrity? Did you hear what so and so said on Twitter? No, and I don’t care. The god of “you can’t tell me what to do”? “I can use whatever language I want.” What other places are you expected to bow at the altar that may compromise your Christian faith?
It is enough for members of God’s family to start asking . . .
“WHY ON EARTH WOULD I WANT TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN?”
America has long been nominally Christian. Even those who promote abortion and same-sex marriage tout their Christian credentials in doing so. Most politicians don’t get in trouble by ending their speeches with, “God Bless you and God Bless America.”
But the landscape is changing rapidly. Secularization has won the day, and the persecutions have begun. Early Christians were tempted to offer a toast to the pagan deity. If you did this you could expect upward mobility and a higher social status. Are our own challenges any different?
In almost every profession and walk of life, Christians are being challenged on their biblical view of marriage and their truthful stand on the LGBT agenda. Being a member of a certain orthodox church these days could carry a stigma. The Christian gets labeled a “hater” if they don’t fall in line. Christians already are being fined and even some are driven from their business. Sportscasters have been taken off the air, judges off of their benches. Day by day we are learning that Christianity comes with a cost, sometimes financial or social.
I was recently asked a similar question by someone outside our church who wanted to know if my position as Pastor ever had someone berating me for a biblical position when I am out in the community. I said no. But I also am aware, as some have stated in our Adult Bible Class that you are expected to toe the politically correct company line. Certain freedoms you should have are being taken away. We don’t live on either coast but how long before the vice grip entangles us? “Why on earth would I want to become a Christian?”
Our text gives us the answer – verse 9. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
In the early church they became Christians because Christians preached a loving God. They became Christians and remained Christian because the church spoke about eternal life. These brothers and sisters had hope. Indeed, the troubles of this present time pale in comparison to the joys of the life to come.
We find love in the person of Jesus Christ. In the crucifixion of Jesus we find the deepest problems of humanity and sin and isolation. He overcame all of these for us. God sacrificed his Son so that we could be forgiven and have a future home in heaven that lasts forever. The early Christians knew the persecutions were temporary. We too know that we will be taken from this vale of tears and live in perfection for eternity.
Doesn’t that keep us going? God is in control. God as Creator sees our world and his plans and his timing for world events come to pass with his knowledge and foresight. Satan has his victories no doubt, but our Lord has won the war between good and evil. By becoming poor through Christ he has made you and I rich. Rich in grace. Rich in love. Rich in Christian fellowship. Rich in trust. Rich in hope. Rich in the Lord’s strength. We can stand boldly because God’s Word is truth. He promises that.
So, how will you respond? Will your keep your mouth shut, or will you speak the truth? How will we navigate these waters if the persecutions hit our pocketbooks, our social status, and our reputations? Will we remain faithful, or offer that toast to the gods?
The early church grew exponentially as the Christians remained faithful. We don’t know the future but we do know that our Lord holds the future. “Why on earth would I want to become a Christian?” Because God loves me through Jesus Christ. I am forgiven and I have hope. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Amen.