Suffering For Being Right

Sometimes people suffer because they stand for what is right.  Many social liberals hate George W. Bush because he stands for moral principles. He is not perfect, but he stands for what he believes is right. Humanists are uncomfortable with Christian moral standards and those who support Bible morality. To the social liberals, there is no right and wrong, but only what society decides is acceptable behavior, and that changes constantly to suit the whims of the socialists. They think in shades of gray, not absolute values.  To them talking endlessly about something and coming to a consensus is the best way to deal with all problems. They do not believe in the powerful confrontation of evil, but in the appeasement of evil, which to them is not evil, but misguided evolutionary direction. Time and chance are the evolutionist’s law.

Paul described the reaction of unbelievers to Christians as the smell of death, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” (2 Cor 2:14-17, NIV)

You can see why humanists and unbelievers hate Christians. If the Bible is right, they will burn in hell because of their unbelief. If Christ is right, then sexual immorality is damning behavior. If Christ is right, killing unborn children brings condemnation. If Christ is right, we should oppose evil, not make peace with it. Christians are a constant reminder to humanists that there is another standard besides political correctness.

As Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Matt 12:30-31, NIV)

There is a war between good and evil raging in the world. Everyone must take sides, because there is no middle ground. You either stand against evil, or you embrace evil. 

The election in Spain was turned to the Socialists because of the fearful reaction to the train bombing. Apparently al-Qaida planned the ruthless attack upon innocent people as punishment for Spain’s involvement in support of the USA in the overthrow of Saddam in Iraq. Such a fearful response by the Spanish voters plays into the hands of the terrorists,  whose objective is to accomplish their religious and political purposes by creating fear. We have a similar element in our own society who wants to make peace with the terrorists to avoid their wrath. The answer to evil is opposition, not appeasement.

Opposition to evil can be non-violent, by showing kindness to our enemy, but that must not include approval of their wrong behavior. Nor does it mean the government should stand aside and refuse to use force to oppose terror.  The exercise of power in the support of righteousness is the God given role of governments. Those governments who support righteousness are blessed, and those that support evil are destroyed.  The people who support moral righteousness (Christian morality) are blessed; those who oppose Christianity will be cursed. Jesus is the light of the world to those who believe, but an object of offense to the unbeliever.  The Christians role is to be a light to those who see us, reflecting the nature of Christ in our own lives.

Shall we refuse to speak about Jesus because it offends the humanists and other unbelievers? Our responsibility is to stand for righteousness, even if it causes some people to hate us.  We will gain nothing in the end by appeasement of evil. People who stand for righteousness have nothing to fear. Death is not the end for those who have life in Jesus Christ.

By: Randolph Gonce