12/22/21 SO WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

12/22/21 SO WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

I get the impression that modern day, western Christians are surprised and offended that the end times don't seem to be as much fun as they thought they were going to be. In fact, it looks like things might even turn out to be difficult.

HOW DARE HE
How dare he, how dare the enemy of our soul actually upset our lives, with threats, inconveniences, hardships?
How dare he attack our standard of living, our Christian culture?
How dare he bring division into our society?
How dare he make our lives uncomfortable?
How dare he use our government against us?
How dare he use our schools to paganize our children?
How dare he take away our ability to kill our oppressors?
How dare he be unfair?

DON'T THEY CARE?
Don't our leaders know how they are promoting evil oppression?
Don't they know they are not acting in a Christian way?

IT IS AS IF
It is as if the people in the west (where we have not even begun to suffer), think they understand Christian Scripture, faith and salvation better than the New Testament saints, the Early Church, Christians throughout history who have been persecuted to death, and believers around the world who are willing to die for their faith rather than kill their enemies.
It is as if there is something wrong with believers who maintain faith, love, joy, peace and grace rather than rise up in anger, violence, self defense.
As if there is something wrong with having perfect love for our enemies.
As if there something wrong by not living in fear of Satan and his wiles.
It is as if they are sorry they ever prayed, "Even so, Come Lord Jesus."

THEN WHY?
You may ask if I like suffering or oppression. No, but if that is what we are having to face and deal with, we should at least do it by the grace of God, according to His word, trusting His wisdom, showing His love.

"Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13, NASB 1971).