...don't be surprised if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13

I have been dwelling on something all day.  I had read an article written by an individual that was criticizing Tim Tebow for demonstrating his faith on the football field.  The author had watched an NFL Films hour long montage as they followed Tim on the football field.  She was offended that besides the standard words of encouragement that you may hear on the field he would pace the side lines talking how great God was.  How awesome God is.  He would also say such praises in the huddle.  She went on to be offended for his bowing in prayer or that he would put scripture references on his eye black when he was in college.  The author stated he should not be showing his faith because he represented the Denver Broncos and that was inappropriate because he may offend fans or fellow players.

Tim stirs emotions from both sides.  Those who are offended by his faith and those who are excited that he is such a great example.  Few are in the middle of the road.  Later in the day I read an article from someone else that felt that Tim had no right to express his faith on the field or off because he was under contract and was not being paid to have a faith.  Really?  He is not allowed to have a personal life.  He may just be too much of a positive influence on their children I guess.

This is not about Tim though.  This is about an attack on Christianity that seems to be increasing.  Tim is currently the figure that makes this issue stand out possibly more then ever.  The question that ran through my mind is, "What are people afraid of?"  It is like when AIDs first came on the scene.  Don't' get near me I may get contaminated by your Christianity.  Maybe Christians should walk around as they did in the Old Testament letting people know not to get close because their life may be change.  For most of the day I will admit I was infuriated.  The people that scream for tolerance are not tolerant of Christians.  Those who ridicule the Christians for being judgmental, intolerant, unforgiving and bigoted because of our faith are treating Christians in a way they don't want to be treated themselves.  They want to ensure their first amendment rights are protected but do not want the same for Christians.

A fellow chaplain recently stated that freedom was about being able to express yourself and people being willing to accept or reject.  Simply say that is nice but I don't believe that way and move on their way.  To be able to have open communication of ideas.

At first as I said I was infuriated.  To illustrate my point I had posted a link to an article where a retired Christian Army general decided to not speak at a West Point prayer breakfast because of the pressure the school was getting about his attending from outside sources.  The school ignored these sources so they went to the Army Chief of Staff.  After posting the article a friend commented on it and changed my attitude.  I was reminded that we should not be shocked when such things happen.  Yes, I, a chaplain, and I had to be reminded that scripture tells us that we should not be surprised by persecution.


Matthew 5:10 - 12 says, "10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways." (GWT)


Matthew 24:9-10 says, " 9 "Then they will hand you over to those who will torture and kill you. All nations will hate you because you are committed to me. 10 Then many will lose faith. They will betray and hate each other. (GWT)


In John 15 Jesus tells us the world is going to hate us.  "18 "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don't have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that's why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant isn't greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they did what I said, they will also do what you say. 21 Indeed, they will do all this to you because you are committed to me, since they don't know the one who sent me. 22 If I hadn't come and spoken to them, they wouldn't have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The person who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn't done among them what no one else has done, they wouldn't have any sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 In this way what is written in their Scriptures has come true: 'They hate me for no reason.'"


1 John 3:13 says, "Brothers and sisters, don't be surprised if the world hates you."


There are many many more scriptures in both the Old and the New Testaments that reminds us that we should not be surprised about what is going on around us.  I know, we live in America.  Yes we have been blessed to live a good life.  We have become fat and lazy Christians.  We have been able to live a blessed unchallenged life until now.  James 1 says to count it all joy when we face trails and testings.  We have not had to endure what took place in many place of the world where Bibles had to be smuggled in.  We have not had to worry about being arrested like those in Iran for being Christian.


We have not had to worry about being put to death for our faith.  We have lived a life where for years the majority of the country at least accepted if not believed themselves.  It was a social norm to go to church.  We have had it good.  Yet when we face a little of what many Christians have faced we whine, "They are picking on me."  Maybe we should be more like Tim Tebow.  He has stared his critiques in the face and have remained strong in where he stands.


This may not make you feel better as you see the persecution increase in this great country.  Will you stand to the end or will you be blown away like chaff.  Jesus, Paul, John, Stephen, and the list goes on endured worse and remained faithful.  We can attack back or we can love.  We can get angry or realize that we must be going the right way.


Yes, I may still get offended and infuriated at the world's treatment of Christians.  I will not sit back and just let some things happen.  I will vote, write, or anything else I can do.  What will you do?