The Narrow Path Ministries

I would appreciate some comments regarding the following statement, especially the underlined portion. It hits pretty hard, but seems accurate. It's from a sermon called "And They Crucified Him" by Art Katz:

"The avoidance of pain is a costly avoidance, and the symbol of the Cross at the heart of the faith is an invitation to share in His suffering. In a word, our Christianity is degenerating into a middle-class culture, a sanctifying cover-up for the status quo, a vacuous praise club, an equating of ‘gain as godliness’, a comfortable religiosity that leaves our real interests unchallenged and undisturbed in the avoidance of the Cross of Christ Jesus. How many professing Christians live effectually as atheists, having no substantial difference in their lives from those in the world anywhere about them? Somehow, am I naive to think that we ought to look different, think differently, act differently; that there ought to be such a savor and fragrance about us of Christ that it’s a savor of death unto death to some and life unto life to others. The fact that the world can so easily tolerate us, the fact of the almost complete absence of reproach, let alone of persecution, is itself a shameful testimony that we are so like the world that we cannot be distinguished from it, and that despite the things that we verbally profess, our lives are lived hardly any differently from those that are effectual atheists. We ought rather to be citizens of another Kingdom, citizens of Heaven, but there is just simply no way to get there except through the Cross."

Thx, TK

I agree that if we are "in your face" kind of Christians we are going to receive back pain for the"pain" (I use quotes purposefully) we have given. I do believe that Jesus told His disciples that they would recieve persecution, and Paul goes on record pointing it out that the Church in Jerusalem was undergoing hardships. I don't really think it was due to the fact that they were preaching Christ, although it could have been the reason, but rather that they were a thorn in the side of both Jews and Rome just because they were looked at as trouble makers from the Way.

We are told to lead a quite life and to mind our own business.

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

This is just the opposite of what we some doing. In nations were religious tolerance is void it naturally follows that Christians may get the brunt of the pain. However you will find that all religions meet persecution in one form or another, depending on where one lives.

I don't necessarily agree that "In a word, our Christianity is degenerating into a middle-class culture, a sanctifying cover-up for the status quo". I believe true Christians are just as pumped up as ever and we care deeply for the souls of others. Lets face it, not all are evangelists or teachers. Some of us are just good solid, firmly settled on faith sort of people who look want to raise a good decent family and live a life pleasing to God.

Too many churches are trying too hard to be as much like the world. Why would they be persecuted? Persecution only come when you rub against the sociatal grain or start kicking over religious sacred cows. The typical American Church has done nothing in years worthy of suffering for the cause of Christ or to fear persecution.