Why Are You NOT Suffering?

2Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Via Growing Intolerance for Christianity in U.S., Christian News, The Christian Post.

“[I]f an individual who claims to be a Christian is not experiencing intolerance or persecution – being called names, belittled, marginalized, or characterized because you stand for sound theology – you should examine yourself to make sure you are a Christian. (See 10 hallmarks of a Christian)”, Brannon Howse said.

I experienced this belittling intolerant marginalization where I worked over the last 4 years. I was actually told by the HR Director that my Christianity was “incompatible with the culture of the company” and warned three times that if I “speak about Jesus” again I would be fired, even though every other worldview was not just tolerated but was embraced as wholly acceptable to discuss any time! When I asked the Director, in front of the witnesses in this meeting he had called to correct me ‘once and for all’, I said, “Tell me, is atheism a pre-requisite for working here?”, to which he responded by saying, “No, but I’m a Catholic, and manage to leave my faith at home.” I responded how that I cannot compartmentalize my faith; that Christianity is who I am. He went on to “warn” me again and promised that the rest of the company would get an HR meeting explaining what conversations were allowed at work. That meeting never happened and I got set aside as some kind of a nut. Nearly every day some of the managers and co-workers would deliberately be offensive after that in their conversation near me or to me. I was passed over for promotions, but not ever over my work performance, but merely because I didn’t “take on enough projects.” Of course the projects were meted out to those in the group who left their “faith at home”; to those who thought it odd that I would not run to the same excess they did (sound familiar?).

I regularly got attitude that demonstrated I was being judged as being “holier than thou” with them, not realizing their own hypocrisy in condemning me. Actually I tried too hard to get along sometimes and had to repent of playing into their filthiness just to get along: I never succeeded in doing anything but making them mock me further. So, eventually, I just gave up trying to be anything but who I was and the atmosphere got worse and worse until eventually they found a reason to let me go (financial lay off was the reason given).

I admit I considered suing the company, even contacting legal counsel over the matter, when they laid me off with no intention to re-hire, and with only part of my vacation time. After all, I was an officer of the company and we had made record profits for four years running (the very four years I was there)! Didn’t I deserve some kind of severance??! But Paul’s words to Timothy kept coming back to me from multiple sources…

“Indeed, all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.“ 2Tim 3:12 (NASB95)

First it was a reminder from the Spirit that with faith comes suffering, and then an older brother said it. Then Kirk Cameron in a newsletter from www.LivingWaters.com said it. And now Brannon Howse says it in an interview! I am a tad slow sometimes but I can see a pattern! 🙂

I realized that what I had deemed evil, what had clearly been done to me with evil intention, was made an honor from God: I had suffered for Jesus. I had lived out my Christianity there, unequivocally, and had suffered for it. I shouldn’t be angry but glad, that is what Paul was talking about. If you persist in living set apart for God you will indeed suffer for it, that’s a promise.

Sure, I wasn’t perfect, big surprise there. I got angry at times, acted sinfully sometimes. But being weak doesn’t disqualify you from being a child of God. Indeed, when a Christian falls he gets back up again and again in repentance, knowing His Father loves and forgives him. Then he tries again, knowing he will get better at this surrendered life, day by day.

Fellow Christian, as you struggle over having to suffer for the LORD’s Name sake, as you are not sure just what that looks like, are not sure you aren’t just suffering for being hard-headed, or some such idea – read an article I wrote before I lost my job, elsewhere on this site, and be encouraged:

“Facing the Facts, Together”

And if you are not suffering for being a Christian at work maybe you should read Brannon’s succinct words again:

“[I]f an individual who claims to be a Christian is not experiencing intolerance or persecution – being called names, belittled, marginalized, or characterized because you stand for sound theology – you should examine yourself to make sure you are a Christian. (See 10 hallmarks of a Christian)”

Thank you LORD Jesus for the great and glorious privilege to suffer for your Name. And thank you Brannon Howse, for helping us to stay focused on what is important,  to wholly embrace this life Jesus brings us through, eyes on Him all the way home.

Patrick Burwell, OnlyJesusSaves.com
Response@OnlyJesusSaves.com