Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Have you noticed an increase in the hatred towards Christians and God in the world around you?

Since writing my book Heartstone: A Journey Out Of The Midnight Of My Soul, I have taken my story to the social space such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. It didn’t take long for people to reveal their hatred towards God.

I posted this on Easter, take a minute to check out some of the comments.

 
In this post, I was called an idiot. Here is the direct quote, “Tim Young…I’ve never met an idiot such as you, I’m making you my #1 idiot.”

 
Not every atheist, agnostic, neopagan (that’s what many describe themselves as) go on the attack with personal and derogatory comments, but many do. You don’t have to look very hard to find comments on blogs and on social media to see some of the most hateful, disparaging, mean-spirited words directed at Christians, their faith, and God. I also want to be clear that there are many that call themselves “Christians” that are no better.

I do wonder when disagreement became hate?!?

As a follower of Jesus Christ how do you feel about this? Does it silence your faith? Do you take it personal?

Jesus spoke these prophetic words to his disciples thousands of years ago, but it is very relevant for today’s believers. There is a push to have Christian symbols removed from public places, the banning of prayer in school, punishment for soldiers in the military for expressing their faith, the arresting pastors for reading the Bible out loud in a public place and the outcry over an athlete kneeling to give his God thanks are all indicative of the growing trend of hatred and intolerance towards Christians in America. While the war on Christianity in America has not yet reached the levels of persecution as it has in other parts of the world, the tide is changing.

Just to be clear, Christians in America have it easy compared to those suffering intense persecution in other countries around the world. In more than 40 nations around the world, people are being persecuted simply because of their faith. Hundreds of people are serving prison sentences that range from a few months to life. They are not criminals but Christians who were put on trial for their faith in Christ and found guilty. Christians are beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and murdered by those who are hostile to their faith in Jesus Christ. If you don’t believe me spend some time on the Voice Of The Matrys website for some very real and eyeopening stories.

When the valedictorian can’t acknowledge God in their graduation speech or a child in grade school can’t write the words “In God we trust” on a picture of a flag that they drew, we know that we’ve reached a place of intolerance for Christians in the United States and its on the rise.

Although we are living in the land of the free where freedom of speech and religion are held sacred by the Constitution, the hate-filled climate surrounding Christians in America should come as no surprise to a Christian who is in the Word of God. Scripture warns of this present time and increasingly hostile environment.

When I talk to some of my brothers and sisters in Christ they take the position of “It’s easier to just go along with the crowd and be silent.” Here is the rub, we are now living in a “postmodern” world where everything is relative and there is no universally accepted truth. It’s an environment where anyone who says “this is right” and “that is wrong” is labeled intolerant.

We serve a mighty God and remember that if God is for us, who can be against us! Does this mean that it will be easy? Absolutely not, but ask God for a the courage nonetheless.

I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

We need men and women to armor up and stand firm in their faith and wave the banner of Jesus Christ no matter what comes at them!

Patrick Morley shares that courage for the Christian is not reaching down into his or her depths to muster bravery in the face of adversity. Courage for the Christian is believing that he who began a good work within us is faithful to complete it. It is his strength, his power, his plan, his will, his purpose, his calling, and his reputation upon which we depend – not ours. As to the opposition and adversity we face, we really have no idea what God is sovereignly doing in the big picture. Courage is to be faithful even though we can’t see where this is headed. Courage is possible because we know God will not be defeated, and we are on the same side.

The opinion of a spectator doesn’t mean much.

Will you take a stand for your faith?