We have had it good for a very long time. You don’t believe me? Name one Christian in America who has been murdered because he stood for his faith. Can’t think of any? How about naming a Christian in America who was beaten by order of the government? We’ve had it so good that we are actually shocked and outraged when the government does something that might cause us to suffer in some way.

To put it bluntly, we have become spoiled.

Is it horrible that the Supreme Court has made decisions that go against the Bible? Is it infuriating when the president forcefully promotes homosexuality?  Of course. But since when is it the government’s job to determine what is biblically right or wrong?

It would benefit all Christians to have a history lesson.

The New Testament was written during the days of the Roman Empire. Most of it was written during the reign of a guy named Nero. Some things you might not remember about him:

• He was an open homosexual, going so far as to marrying a young boy.
• He had Christians in Rome arrested, then had them covered in rags and tar, set them up on poles and set them on fire—burning them alive—so that his garden could be lighted at night.
• He had other Christians arrested and thrown into the arenas to be ripped apart by starving lions.
• He instituted an official, bloody, empire-wide persecution of Christians that lasted 3 ½ years, and religious people (the Jews) helped him enforce it.
• And there’s really a lot more…

And we complain about the itty-bitty persecution we’re getting here in America? Really?

It was during the reign of Nero that Peter wrote the words “honor the king” (I Peter 2:17). It was during the reign of Nero that Paul said these words:

Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God. The powers that exist are ordained by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will themselves receive damnation. (Romans 13:1-2)

It was also during the reign of Nero that Paul said:

Therefore, I exhort that—first of all—supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all people, for kings, and for all those in authority (I Timothy 2:1-2).

I can hear it now, I’m supposed to thank God for the corrupt and wicked leaders we have?!?!?

Do you think Paul and Peter were just kidding when they said to honor Nero? To be subject to Nero? To not resist Nero? To pray and give thanks for Nero?

It’s time to realize that even as bad as things may be, they could be worse—a lot worse.

If you want this county’s direction to change, then you have to start changing the people. That’s not done through legislation, but through teaching them the true gospel of Christ.

–Bradley Cobb