Published on 06/13/2008

If you’re like most of us, you may be a bit uncomfortable right now. It is a biblical fact that Christians experience persecution for their faith, but many of us do not.

Enjoy today while it lasts, because there won't be another Friday the 13^th this year. As many as 21 million Americans are apparently afflicted with the most prevalent of all superstitions, formally called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Why is this day so feared by so many? All sorts of legends abound.

One combines fear of the number six (Friday is the sixth day of the week) with the number 13. Some tie the connection to biblical events: according to some traditions, it was on a Friday that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit, the Great Flood began on a Friday, the Tower of Babel builders were scattered on a Friday, the Temple of Solomon was destroyed on a Friday, and Jesus was obviously crucified on a Friday.

No matter the day of the week or month, you and I can experience a kind of happiness which transcends all circumstances. In seeking it, we're studying Jesus' last Beatitude. It begins: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Jesus predicted that his followers would be persecuted, and as we saw yesterday, they were.

If you’re like most of us, you may be a bit uncomfortable right now. It is a biblical fact that Christians experience persecution for their faith, but many of us do not. Few of us have ever faced such suffering for our commitment to Jesus. People at school may make fun of us if they learn that we are believers. Co-workers or clients may shun us if we won't join ungodly activities. We may lose money or status when we refuse dishonesty or immorality. But by and large, we live in communities which expect us to be nominally Christian. Nothing extreme or intolerant, of course. But religion in moderation is accepted and even welcomed.

Why don't we face more suffering for our faith? If indeed my fallen world is opposed to my commitment to Christ, and if Satan is my mortal enemy, why doesn't my faith cost me more? In the spiritual battle being waged for the souls of humanity, why don't we suffer more? Here are the reasons which seem clear to me.

First, it seems that some of us have withdrawn from the battle. We don't know many non-Christians. We spend so much of our time in the huddle that we have little contact with the other team. We're no threat to Satan unless we get on his turf.

If this is true for you, why change? Let's continue on Monday.