As Americans, we have seen our world shift in the last few years. What was once a nation where the majority believed in the Christian faith, the U.S. is now a place where Christ followers are a minority. Culture tells us a lot about who we should be, how we should behave, and what we should believe. With so many opinions and so much hostility, how will we ever fit in? Maybe we weren’t ever meant to. This series will deal with how to counter the culture.
Throughout history, Christians have been left out and persecuted for our faith. And while this isn’t new, we need to be equipped on how to deal with it.
Peter wrote to the Christ followers during the time of Nero, a Roman emperor who severely persecuted Christians.
Anger is one of the easiest emotions to fall into while we’re being mistreated, persecuted or simply being forced onto the sidelines.
Peter points out that our true enemy is the devil, not the institutions, organizations or political parties.
The tactics of Satan used to hurt Christians:
1. Separation - The enemy knows we are much easier prey when we are alone. Divide and conquer.
2. Attack the family - The enemy tries to dismantle the nuclear family and confuse people about gender and sexuality, which can destroy the family.
3. Indoctrination - The enemy teaches false ideas, and we can easily start to believe these lies if we’re not careful.
“Gradually, though no one remembers exactly how it happened, the unthinkable becomes tolerable. And then acceptable. And then legal. And then applaudable. Then everyone with a different view is seen as extreme, as backwards, and on the wrong side of history. They are threatened with the loss of jobs, the loss of respect, punished until they come to agree with the accepted ideology of the day.”
None of this surprises God.
The most powerful moments in church history are when Christ followers are overlooked, persecuted or even martyred for their faith.
How do we get through these hard times?
Trust and obey.
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