Persecution Will Come, What Will You Choose?

I had a conversation with a person recently about if it is ok for Christians to drink alcohol or smoke pot. I am sure I will not make a lot of fans with this next statement, but, no, I do not think it is ok. I do not want to start a debate about it, nor do I want to try to force you to believe what I believe. We will both have to stand in front of our Lord and have our individual lives displayed before Him.

I want to look at the belief of participating in those actions in a different light. The bible tells us repeatedly that we are supposed to be set apart. We are supposed to be different. In fact, Romans puts it something like this, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The bible also tells us in Matthew 24:9-13 ⁽9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (10) ^And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (11) And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. (12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (13) But he that shall endure until the end, the same shall be saved.

We are coming into a time when we as believers will be persecuted for our faith in Jesus. Now here in America we do not really know anything about persecution. But if you search for what is happening to Christians around the globe you will find out what persecution really looks like. When that happens here in America, we will be forced to choose between being persecuted and not being persecuted. We will be forced to renounce our belief or be “cancelled”, be beaten, have our businesses burnt down, etc. in some cases even having to face death for our beliefs.

If it is hard to live for Christ now, if it is difficult to put down that alcohol now, if smoking that pot is the most important thing to you now; what is going to change later on? If you cannot live for Christ separated from what the rest of the world is calling acceptable, how are you ever going to possibly die for Christ later on?