As the political climate continues to heat up, many Christians are predicting an end to free speech in the West, and a further increase in persecution. Sadly, this could well happen. Already, a lot of Christian views are being considered "hate speech". Social Media platforms are censoring Christian material, Christian businesses are being sued for refusing to support LGBT causes, and of course, during the Coronavirus pandemic, churches are being forced to close, with certain politicians threatening to close them permanently. This is causing many in the Church to ask, when Christianity becomes a felony, will you stay faithful?
The wisest answer to this question, I contend, is actually "I don't know". See, as bad as things are in the West, very few of us actually have to fear for our lives. We don't have it as bad as in China, or North Korea, or most places in the Middle East, and so most of us have no idea how we would respond when the guns come out. It's like getting into a fight with a mugger. So many of us know what we think we would do, but that all goes out the window when it actually happens. As the old martial arts saying goes, "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face".
No one exemplifies this more than Peter. When Jesus predicted His death, Peter swore to follow Him, even if he, himself, had to die. But Jesus said to Him "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you like wheat", and "before the rooster crows, you will have denied three times that you know me". In his pride, Peter believed he was ready to die for Jesus, but when the crowds began to recognise him as Jesus' friend, suddenly "I do not know this man".
It's all well and good sharing memes swearing that you will remain faithful when Christianity becomes illegal. "Me strong, me brave, me faithful", you human. Remember this fact. You are human. And you don't know when Satan may ask to sift you like wheat. If Christianity becomes a crime in your lifetime, you might deny. You may betray yourself, your church, and even your Lord, because the truth is, but for Him, you would not even live long enough to hear the rooster crow, much less withstand persecution.
Therefore, the correct answer to what you will do if Christianity becomes illegal is pray. Pray that you have the strength, the courage, the wisdom, to remain faithful to Him, even when the sword comes against the Church. And of course, pray for restoration should you fail. And you may fail. Just as Peter failed, you may fail, but just as God, in His mercy, restored Peter, so also can He forgive and restore you. And of course, as we know, Peter eventually did die for Christ. He finished strong, and this is what we can all hope to follow. Though, just as Paul would prefer not to be in chains (Acts 26:29), let us prefer not to die. But let us still finish, knowing the mercies of God, and His glory, and His love, but also His wrath. For us, who are persecuted in His name, an eternal Kingdom awaits, where there is no more death. For those who persecute us, and do not turn back from it, there is only damnation. So, take heart, and pray for courage. Let us bring in the lost, spreading the Gospel in both peacetime, and in war. In prosperity, and in poverty. In health, and in sickness. Let us ensure those who persecute God are forgiven, for they know not what they do.
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