What Should We Expect in this New Year?

Each year since 2019, I have seen post after post expressing hope that the next year will be better than the difficult year just experienced.  However, with each passing year, those hopes are yet to be realized.  It seems each new year brings more difficulties than the last.  Issues such as inflation, social unrest, a divided government, and new health challenges present their own set of challenges.  However, troubles and pressures upon the church in America have been intensifying for decades.  Especially in the last generation, each year has brought new challenges for God’s people in America.  

While many of these challenges are not new in the history of the church, they are certainly new to generations of Christians who live in a land that once proudly referred to itself as a Christian nation.  Things have changed.  In our nation, there has been a decidedly increasing antagonism toward those who hold to the faith once for all delivered to the saints.  Hostility toward conservative Christians is growing exponentially.  While we have not yet faced the threat of martyrdom for the sake of Christ, the persecution is nonetheless real.

A report on Christian persecution lists several types of persecution in addition to martyrdom.  These include faith-related terrorism, sectarian violence, state-imposed restrictions on religion, and anti-religious pressure from society.  These restrictions on religion are imposed either informally by society or officially sponsored through state regulations.  These are common types of persecution on the rise in America.  Make no mistake, the war is on.

Just a few decades ago, I would never have suspected that Christians in America could lose their livelihoods because of their religious convictions.  Owners of photographic studios, bakeries, and florist shops who faithfully stand by their historic Christian beliefs have been forced out of business.  Whether through angry boycotts, extended legal battles, or judicial judgments declaring, “If you want to remain in business, you must violate your religious convictions,” Christian-owned establishments have been forced to close their doors.  Teachers and students in institutions of higher learning are being told they have no right to express their religious views because they might offend the fragile sensibilities of those whose behavior is condemned by Scripture.  

Social media platforms are barring those whose views do not conform to the progressive ideology of this present evil age.  These Christians may not be forfeiting their lives for the Gospel, but they are enduring substantial persecution for their faith.  We are being told those who are unwilling to compromise their religious convictions must remain silent.  Failure to comply will result in a ban from participating in our “free market economy,” suspension from academic participation, or social ostracization.  The cancel culture is alive and well in our day and faithful Christians are the main target.

"We are being told those who are unwilling to compromise their religious convictions must remain silent."

This discrimination and persecution are not limited to the private sector.  A Christian non-profit adoption agency having operated for over one hundred years, was forced to close its doors for refusing to place children in homosexual homes. In some states, churches are being sued for refusing to allow their facilities to be used to conduct wedding ceremonies for unbiblical unions.  Church facilities are being vandalized and worship services disrupted by pro-abortion and pro LGBTQ+ vandals and demonstrators.  Few of these instances of persecution are ever reported in the mainstream media.

The world is growing more hostile toward genuine Christianity by the day.  Many in our society believe Christians are not entitled to their religious convictions, including moral convictions not only observed by Christians, but most societies throughout history.  The moral progressives are not simply demanding our tolerance; they are insisting upon our approval.  I find it ironic that a culture so concerned about bullying sees nothing wrong with bullying Christians over their sincerely held historic beliefs.

This is clearly an hour of testing for the people of God.  Times like these reveal whether or not we have the right perspective on how God’s people are called to live in this world.  In the past, we American Christians have enjoyed unprecedented peace and prosperity.  Have we forgotten what Scripture says about our existence in this present age?  From an earthly perspective, we have had it so good for so long that it has given rise to unbiblical attitudes about our place in this world.  There are best-selling books claiming that, as God’s people, we can have our best life now.  Others have made such unbiblical statements such as, “Life as a Christian is so good, I would pursue it even if this life were all there is!”  What a contrast with the Apostle Paul’s perspective.  He told the Corinthians, “If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

"Times like these reveal whether or not we have the right perspective on how God’s people are called to live in this world."

I am not suggesting that we do not have much for which to be grateful.  We are truly blessed beyond measure. We have been loved with incomparable love.  Our sins have been forgiven.  We have been reconciled to God and to one another.  We have been offered freedom from anxiety and peace that passes all understanding if we will bring our petitions before God with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:7).  However, such blessings belong to all of God’s people, regardless of their present circumstances.  

Even those who suffer for His name have been granted the privileged blessing of sharing in His suffering (Philippians 1:29).  When the Apostles were beaten for preaching the Gospel, they went their way rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41).  As Jesus says in John 16:33, in this world we will have tribulation.  But we are told to be at peace and take heart, for He has already overcome the world.

In our next post, we will consider how we should approach this new year given the blessed hope that belongs to all of God’s people, regardless of our present circumstances.