Those who believe that the Word of God is the sole authoritative standard for Christian doctrine and conduct and who believe that Christians “ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29) are tending to look to the future with some questions, if not apprehension.  It is possible to clearly observe a pattern of growth from indifference, to antipathy, and in many cases, antagonism toward any teaching and practice that has the Bible as its basis.  We should not consider such attitudes and conduct strange.  What is strange, rather, is the historical anomaly that has been America.  For the liberty that the true church has enjoyed historically on this part of the continent of North America is uncharacteristic of history in general.  From the beginning, the world (including and especially the religious world) has opposed Christian truth as set forth in the Word of God.

            A prophecy concerning opposition.  Only eight days after His incarnation, the Lord Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised according to Jewish law.  Simeon, a “just and devout” old man, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit to see “the Lord’s Christ,” met the family in the temple and prophesied by the Spirit that the Lord Jesus was “set” (“appointed”) for a “sign which shall be spoken against” (Lk. 2:34).  It is striking, is it not, that of all that might have been predicted concerning the Lord Jesus, the fact that He (and His truth, and, ultimately, those who followed Him) would be opposed formed the crux of that initial prophecy?  The truth has ever faced opposition, particularly by those who profess to hold to the truth.

            A pronouncement concerning opposition.  Toward the end of Paul’s ministry, when he went to Rome to make his appeal to Caesar, Paul called together “the chief of the Jews” to give them his testimony; they replied:  “We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest:  for as concerning this sect [Christianity], we know that every where it is spoken against” (Act. 28:22).  True faith has never been popular.  Even in the United States where freedom of religion historically has allowed the church to exist unhindered, genuine faith has never held the majority opinion.  And even when our nation looked more favorably on the truth, a false Christianity, deism, and other doctrines darkened the consciences of a majority of people.  Thomas Jefferson, for example, in a display of rank unbelief, created his own Bible by cutting out all the doctrines and supernatural portions with which he, in his humanism, disagreed.  Opposition to the truth is the natural course of this world, and though we may neither enjoy nor desire it, we should not think it strange.  And we should not seek to embrace or propagate a message that is popular.  In fact, one of the true tests of the veracity of our faith is whether it is opposed.  A message that nearly anyone will applaud, accept, or at least tolerate has departed from the truth.  For one evidence we hold to the truth of God is that it will be opposed universally by the religion of men.

            A promise concerning opposition.  Peter gives us this promise from the Lord:  “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:  on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (I Pet. 4:14).  By the Spirit of God, Peter promises blessing upon those who face opposition for their faith.  We are not to be deliberately antagonistic or belligerent, but in love for the Lord and the lost, we are to stand for the truth.  To do so in the face of reproach, Peter assures us, is to secure the blessing of the Lord.

            Error has ever held the majority opinion and has always opposed the truth.  Everywhere truth is spoken against. Opposition, even persecution, is part of our God-ordained heritage. It is safe to say, then, that if we have never faced opposition for our faith, we are not standing for the truth of the Word of God.  If we are facing opposition, we should examine ourselves to make certain that our experience is not merely the result of a carnal or contentious spirit in us.  And if it is not, we should continue to stand firmly and charitably on the Word of God, rejoicing in the knowledge that God will be pleased to save some by our stand, that He will thus be glorified, and that we will be blessed.