The ancient Romans were really nice people. Sure, their responsibilities demanded a certain demonstration of power, but given the large territory they governed, it was in their best interest to keep everyone happy.
One way they did this was to honor the gods of everyone in their kingdom. Rome built the Pantheon, which literally means “all the gods,” so that every group would feel that their god was respected.
Everyone was fine with this arrangement except the Jews, whom the Romans confined to Palestine, and the Christians, who overran the borders of Israel and went international. The Christians insisted that they alone worshiped the one true God.
Put yourself in the emperor’s sandals. What do you do with such people? You persecute them. You don’t want to. You wonder, “Why can’t we all just get along?” But you also know that if you allow the Christians’ divisive message to continue, it won’t be long till the fragile fabric of your multicultural empire will be destroyed. So for the sake of your kingdom, the Christians must go.
Christians today have the same message: “Jesus is Lord.” We are also living in the same kind of diverse, multicultural world. We receive many benefits from our shrinking global village. We enjoy meeting people who are different, learning their customs, and eating their food.
But the one thing we’re not allowed to say—the one thing that sounds dangerously divisive in our pluralistic world—is that Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). First-century Christians didn’t shrink from this claim, but they aggressively and humbly announced that Jesus, not Caesar, is the world’s only Lord. Now it’s our turn.
More:
The Lord . . . created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. . . . “I am the Lord,” He says, “and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:18).
Next:
Why is the message that “Jesus is Lord” perceived as a threat? Without minimizing the exclusive claims of Jesus, what can we do to communicate the beauty of the gospel?
fieldlily on January 26, 2010 at 6:58 am
This is so true! America became a nation so that we could have religious freedom to worship the one true GOD. It is our appointment from Jesus to go out and share the Gospel. But now, in our own country, we are being persecuted and told that we cannot say that Jesus is LORD. The religious freedom of our country was sought to worship our Lord Jesus and because we wanted this freedom we did not persecute others who came here to worship freely. It was our responsibility, though, to share the Gospel with those who did come to our country. Now it is as though we are the aliens in our own land. How did this happen?
But, I must remember that the battle belongs to the LORD and it is HE that they hate and we are being persecuted for HIS name’s sake.
LORD,
Help us to rest in you, and know that you are always with us and are fighting for us. Amen
Cliff on January 26, 2010 at 8:07 am
I am in school for welding (mig) and the guy I ride with is an agnostic thinks God could be a piece of bone or something like jelly.
This guy has a master’s degree (idkw) and thinks he knows everything including more than the welding instructor.
I have shared with him about Jesus but to no avail, he really doesn’t really believe, but yet he uses His name as a cuss word; 1 of these days Jesus just might answer him when he says His name; this would be too cool!
His name is Jason please pray for him to receive a
revelation of Jesus!!!
GreenTeaLatte on January 26, 2010 at 9:01 am
Lord grant me the courage to speak your name boldly to those around me.
Gary4orphans on January 26, 2010 at 9:02 am
Of course on ONE hand we should rejoice to see these persecutions because the Bible tells us to expect that to increase more and more just before His return. Fulfilled prophesy is a good thing. On the other hand of course we want those we know and love to figure this out before His return. Like many I too did not believe, in my case until I was 39. So don’t give up Cliff, if Jason is to believe, he will. God works in different ways with different people at different times, but part of what worked for me, and I have heard it said of others; I was challenged to pray a “God are you out there?” prayer. I did, and He ANSWERED that He WAS “out there.” God told me he WAS “there” and I gave my life to Him. Challenge the unbelivers you know to ask God if He is out there. He just might answer them too. In the meantime, we occupy until His return and keep praying for all who are lost. God will save the ones He will save.
bethanyF on January 26, 2010 at 9:24 am
This was a good devotional. I find myself praying on my car ride to work or school. He helps me prepare for the day, unlike espn radio can do. I have felt sometimes and wondered if God really pays attention to the trials I am facing and I know he does. I just need to have more faith that he will work in me and help me.
shayskin on January 26, 2010 at 11:12 am
Lord give me the word to say to other who do not believe in you . Amen
Chileshe on January 26, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I am sure it has been told you several times over and I am going to say the same here. The fact that many of us decided to heed the call and turn our lives around to believe in the one and only true God did not mean our lives were then going to be easy. We were never promised a walk in the park. In fact the opposite is true. Jesus said persecution will increase for His name’s sake. Like Gary4orphans rightly reminds us, it is prophecy being fulfilled! Having decided to believe, faith was securely planted in us. It is that faith that will carry us through these tough days, and worse will follow!. Remember the saying “If He brings you to it, He will take you through it”?. At the end of that journey, as long as we keep the faith, there is salvation. Keep at it people! Pray to the Lord that we find our voices even in these difficult times.
GOD bless you all.
jjw2855 on January 26, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Yes, Christians are being oppressed all over the world just for their/our faith. In many countries they/we are persecuted, killed and put in prison. Even in the so called Democratic Nations like, USA, Canada, UK,France, Australia there is a subtle degradation of our values, and rights. Our schools, colleges, university now openly rebuke us for our faith. All this because we believe JESUS CHRIST is the only way to God.
However, I am reminded from Romans 8:35 & 37: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
So dear friends, Be strong and courageous, the LORD of all ages is with us.
jjw2855 🙂
riri on January 27, 2010 at 8:33 am
Amen! Amen! Amen!