How staunch are you when it comes to your faith? That is the question being pursued this morning in our scripture reading. There is debate on exactly when this letter was written . . . some argue that it was before the persecution of Christians by Romans, others argue that it was written during the height of Roman persecution of the Christians. Either way, the writer is telling those who receive the letter that because they choose to be a follower of Jesus that they will face adversity for their faith. In fact, the writer tells them that they should not be surprised, after all . . . Jesus suffered.
The writer tells the readers that it a “curse” and “blessing”, but they should not be surprised: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” God is with you and if it was good enough for Jesus it should be good enough for you. The key is “standing firm in the faith”.
The “fiery ordeal” mentioned by the writer comes in a variety of ways for those being written to. They could be mocked and ridiculed by others who found their practices strange and peculiar compared to the standards of the time. They could become isolated as family members abandon them because they have chosen to follow Jesus . . . to be one of his followers. None of which sounds bad . . . but the writer said, “fiery ordeal” and thus was referencing the experience of Jesus himself. Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, ignored, and isolated by his family and culture, arrested, beaten, put on trial, and crucified.
I think that bumps the writer’s point into the “fiery ordeal” mentioned in the letter.
That’s the “curse” of following Jesus. At the same time, the author mentions that there is also “blessing”. The “blessing” comes in that God is with them throughout it all . . . including the “fiery ordeal” if it comes to that. The writer tells them that they are “under God’s mighty hand” . . . “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” God is with the faithful! God will not abandon them! Because of this the writer implores them to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Thus, the message of the writer to those who read the letter is to get out there and be faithful . . . live like Jesus . . . be like Jesus. Love the Lord. Love others. Strive for God’s Kingdom of inclusion where every one of God’s children . . . God’s creation . . . takes their rightful place at the table.
The faith the writer alludes to is not in words, but in action.
Which brings us to today and the question that was asked earlier: How staunch are you when it comes to your faith?
In our lifetimes we have seen change when it comes to the Christian faith. Where we have seen a shift in attitudes towards the “church” and its “followers”. As much as we would want it to be “business as usual” for the church and its followers, we have to admit that things have changed. Looking back over nearly forty years as an ordained minister I think I ignored the subtle changes that were taking place. “Christians” are not seen in favorable light like they once were.
Years ago, I began noticing that churches were changing their names. Whereas they used to be identified by their denomination . . . for example, Joliet Christian Church . . . they started changing their names to hide their affiliation as a “church”. Instead of First Christian Church or First Methodist Church, churches took on the names of Abundant Life, Harvest, Faith, or even Elevation . . . even Refuge which is the name of the newest congregation here in Joliet. With such names there is less of a threat, less of a stigma. Can you tell me what these churches represent when it comes to their beliefs or doctrine. Refuge here in Joliet is a Southern Baptist Congregation.
I have always noticed the differentiation used more and more by Christians . . . the “us” and “them”. Lines have been drawn to differentiate between theological beliefs . . . between “liberal” and “conservative” . . . between “left” and “right”. How many times have you, in explaining your faith, have told another that you weren’t one of “those Christians”? I will have to admit that for many years I have leaned away from telling others that I am a “Christian” and instead tell them that I identify myself as a “follower of Jesus”.
I believe the writer of our scripture reading this morning would argue that that is a matter of “semantics” . . . a matter of word play. The writer would say that it is not the words we use to describe our faith that matters but the way that we live out our faith in daily matters. It is our actions that define our faith and not our words.
But either way, it seems that being a person of faith is a lot riskier than it has been for a long time. When it comes to survival you cannot blame a person for playing semantics in the matter of faith . . . who wants to come under the “fiery ordeal”?
Thus, it is that the writer tells us: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” And “stand firm in the faith”. Though I hate to use such terminology, there is a battle being waged and we should not shy away or lose our voice or presence in the thick of the “fiery ordeal”. We are the ones who have declared ourselves to be the followers of Jesus. We are the ones you have said we would pick up the cross before us and follow Jesus. We are the ones who are the witness of Jesus to the world in which we live. We are the ones called upon to love . . . to include . . . and to walk with others.
If not us . . . then who?
Jesus never said it would be easy to follow him. The writer of our reading this morning reiterates it with the words he has written. And we know it from experience and looking at the world around us. It is tough to “stand firm” in the faith, but we are assured that if we do . . . God will be with us. What more do we need.
Remember: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
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