Jesus said, "In the world you WILL have persecution."
I'd like to offer the hypothesis that in every generation, to every true follower of Christ, SOME issue will arise where that person will have to choose between the comfort of what they've "always been taught", vs. stepping out to follow Christ's personal and Biblical leading regardless of possible cost.
For some of us, that may happen multiple times, over multiple issues.
At one time in Europe, it was over as seemingly simple an issue as daring to possess and read ANY portion of te Holy Bible. In some parts of the world, that is still true, and can still be a capital offense. (Check out Voice of the Martyrs).
In my own lifetime of 48 years, I have observed and experienced persecution (however mild by comparison) from WITHIN a self-described "Sola Scriptura, Protestant" denomination on three different issues, culminating with being disfellowshipped over PM.
Others on this site have experienced far worse including legal entanglements and even prison here in the USA.
This, the issue of Biblical Families, and particularly PM, seems to be ours, right now.
So, is it any wonder, should we be surprised, when we experience persecution from within the churches, or from the state over PM? How hard should we even seek to avoid it?
Historically, the "blood of the martyrs" has always brought forth fruit. Will being open about our beliefs, and calmly accepting whatever abuse is heaped upon us in a Christlike, loving manner have the same effect?
Yes, the government may well invade our homes and cause us untold grief. That is horrible to contemplate, and we would all rather avoid it. Certainly we have no reason to seek it out. And there is nothing wrong with learning to practice communication skills, such as those taught in Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends and Influence People", which more or less add up to "A soft answer turns away wrath".
But after we've done all that we can to be non-offensive, the question still remains: is what we are preaching "LIGHT"? Is it important that families be ordered and run in God's way? Does God CARE whether we're in families or alone? Does that go for ALL of us? If there isn't REALLY room in families for everyone, then is there REALLY room at the Cross?
If so, if this teaching is indeed "light", possibly even a very important point of light for this moment of darkness in this world's history, then WHY HIDE IT UNDER A BUSHEL EVEN ONE DAY LONGER?
Of COURSE, there are those who hate light for their own works are dark. No surprise. Hiding our own light under a bushel is no protection from them anyway. The adversary wants our light snuffed out. Hidden is nearly as good. Our Savior wants us to let it shine. We get to choose who we gonna make happy.
All of which adds up to kudos to our members who are stepping out to do so in whatever way -- whether it be posting a "provocative" verse on Facebook, "coming out" to family, being wide open to their local church, pastor, and board, or whatever.
Let it shine, folks, let it shine.
I'd like to offer the hypothesis that in every generation, to every true follower of Christ, SOME issue will arise where that person will have to choose between the comfort of what they've "always been taught", vs. stepping out to follow Christ's personal and Biblical leading regardless of possible cost.
For some of us, that may happen multiple times, over multiple issues.
At one time in Europe, it was over as seemingly simple an issue as daring to possess and read ANY portion of te Holy Bible. In some parts of the world, that is still true, and can still be a capital offense. (Check out Voice of the Martyrs).
In my own lifetime of 48 years, I have observed and experienced persecution (however mild by comparison) from WITHIN a self-described "Sola Scriptura, Protestant" denomination on three different issues, culminating with being disfellowshipped over PM.
Others on this site have experienced far worse including legal entanglements and even prison here in the USA.
This, the issue of Biblical Families, and particularly PM, seems to be ours, right now.
So, is it any wonder, should we be surprised, when we experience persecution from within the churches, or from the state over PM? How hard should we even seek to avoid it?
Historically, the "blood of the martyrs" has always brought forth fruit. Will being open about our beliefs, and calmly accepting whatever abuse is heaped upon us in a Christlike, loving manner have the same effect?
Yes, the government may well invade our homes and cause us untold grief. That is horrible to contemplate, and we would all rather avoid it. Certainly we have no reason to seek it out. And there is nothing wrong with learning to practice communication skills, such as those taught in Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends and Influence People", which more or less add up to "A soft answer turns away wrath".
But after we've done all that we can to be non-offensive, the question still remains: is what we are preaching "LIGHT"? Is it important that families be ordered and run in God's way? Does God CARE whether we're in families or alone? Does that go for ALL of us? If there isn't REALLY room in families for everyone, then is there REALLY room at the Cross?
If so, if this teaching is indeed "light", possibly even a very important point of light for this moment of darkness in this world's history, then WHY HIDE IT UNDER A BUSHEL EVEN ONE DAY LONGER?
Of COURSE, there are those who hate light for their own works are dark. No surprise. Hiding our own light under a bushel is no protection from them anyway. The adversary wants our light snuffed out. Hidden is nearly as good. Our Savior wants us to let it shine. We get to choose who we gonna make happy.
All of which adds up to kudos to our members who are stepping out to do so in whatever way -- whether it be posting a "provocative" verse on Facebook, "coming out" to family, being wide open to their local church, pastor, and board, or whatever.
Let it shine, folks, let it shine.
