I was reading a local news story about this Lady who had been put on administrative leave for wearing a cross necklace to work. She was screaming that it was religious persecution. The company however said they have policy against wearing jewelry. The company also said that the woman had been warned not to wear the necklace because it violated the policy on jewelry, but she wore it in defiance and is now being punished accordingly. This whole story has got me to thinking about how in American Christianity we feel guilty for not being persecuted.
I don’t know the specifics about this woman’s situation, but I wonder if She isn’t selfishly trying to create the feeling of persecution so that she can be known as a better Christian. If she ultimately looses Her job she will be able to say that she gave up Her job for Christ, but is that what is really happening? It looks to me that She is looking for some self glorification. Let me explain.
The new testament teaches to us to respect authority. It also tells us that God is responsible for placing those in authority over us, and when we defy authority we defy God. There is also no where in the Bible where it tells us we have to wear a cross necklace to be identified as a Christian. Not wearing a necklace is Not a Sin!!! Jesus told us that we would be known as His followers by our love for one another. I don’t think wearing a necklace really shows ones love for other Christians. It probably shows that one is proud to be a Christians, but not wearing it is not considered to be denying the faith.
In America we do not face persecution for our faith like believers in other countries. I think we face a different kind of challenge. American Christians face the challenge of self accomplishment which can lead to a form of idol worship, the worship of self. It is easy in America to become complacent and forget about God, we can get trapped into thinking that we have worked for what we have rather than thanking God for the great blessings we have. Indulgence is also a challenge faced here in American, with the financial and moral boundaries removed by society we can easily indulge in sinful activities that lead us away from God.
In America we may not face persecution like our brothers in other countries, but do not let that lead to selfishly wanting to be persecuted. God has allowed Americans to face a different type of challenge to their faith. God can us many different methods to shape and grow the fraith of believers. Face the challenge God has given you, but don’t looking for challenges to overcome. That leads to self glorification. The look at me, see what I did attitude. Look to overcome challenges that God allows, so that God might be glorified. When we start focusing on making ourselves look righteous we are not following God.
For discussion: What are some other ways you have heard people claim persecution when they were really just wanting attention?
