Have you ever felt like you’re facing discrimination because of your faith? It’s tough, isn’t it? Well, if you have, I want you to know that you’re not alone. This morning on the news I heard a story about a husband and wife in Washington who were told they could not be Foster Parents because they are Christians.  Although, according to the reporter, there are roughly 8000 children in Foster Care in Washington and by disqualifying Christians to be Foster Parents it limits the number of homes that can host these and other children in need of homes.

Let’s talk about how Christians have been discriminated against throughout history and learn from their stories how we can stand firm in our faith even in the face of adversity. 

Let’s start with one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. Take Elijah, for example. He boldly confronted the prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven, demonstrating the power of the one true God. Yet, despite his faithfulness, he faced persecution and threats from Queen Jezebel, who sought to kill him. But did Elijah give in to fear? No way! He trusted in God’s protection and continued to proclaim His truth, ultimately seeing victory over his adversaries. 

Next up, we have Queen Esther. Talk about facing discrimination head-on! As a Jewish woman living in Persia, she had to hide her identity to even have a chance at becoming queen. But when she learned of the plot to destroy her people, she didn’t cower in fear. Instead, she boldly approached the king, risking her own life, and pleaded for the salvation of her people. Esther’s courage and faithfulness led to the deliverance of the Jewish people, showing us that even in the face of discrimination, God can use us for His purposes. 

Now, let’s shift to the New Testament and consider the wise men who traveled from the East to worship the newborn King, Jesus. These men faced discrimination from King Herod, who saw the birth of Jesus as a threat to his reign. Yet, despite the danger, they followed the star and worshiped Jesus, presenting Him with gifts fit for a king. Their faithfulness and determination to honor Christ serve as a powerful example for us today, reminding us that nothing should deter us from worshiping and serving our Lord. 

So, what can we learn from these biblical heroes? First and foremost, we see that discrimination is nothing new, even for those who faithfully follow God. But we also see that God is faithful to His people, providing strength, protection, and deliverance in the midst of adversity. 
 

Let’s look at some scripture that we can lean into when we are facing discrimination: 

– Psalm 27:1 reminds us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” 
– Romans 8:31 assures us, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” 
– And in 1 Peter 3:13-14, we’re encouraged, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.” 

So, if you’re facing discrimination because of your faith, take heart and follow the examples of these biblical heroes. Trust in God’s faithfulness, stand firm in your convictions, and know that He is with you every step of the way.

But here’s the thing – despite the discrimination they faced, these folks didn’t give up. Nope, not even close. They stood firm in their faith, trusting in God’s plan, and continued to share His message of love and redemption. 

You know, it’s not just a thing of the past. The Bible tells us that in the end times, Christians will face even more discrimination before Jesus returns. Yeah, it’s going to get rough out there. But take heart, because Jesus also said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). 

So, how do we keep sharing the message of salvation despite facing discrimination? Well, first off, we gotta remember who we’re doing it for – Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to glorify God and spread His love to others, no matter what. And hey, if the early Christians could do it, so can we! God provides us with spiritual tools to stand firm, Ephesians 6:10-18, which tells us about the armor of God which is to be used to protect us in battle.  

But let’s be real – it’s not always easy. Sometimes, we might feel like throwing in the towel when things get tough. But that’s when we need to lean on God even more. He’s our strength and our refuge in times of trouble. 

And you know what else? We’ve got each other. As the body of Christ, we’re called to encourage and support one another, especially when we’re facing discrimination. So reach out to your fellow believers, pray for each other, and lift each other up. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to spur each other on and not give up meeting together.

So, if you’re feeling discriminated against because of your faith, remember – you’re not alone. Stand firm in your faith, keep sharing the message of salvation, and trust that God is with you every step of the way. Our goal is sharing Jesus’ message until we go to heaven or until Jesus returns.  Don’t give up.  Keep sharing the News Good without fear and with urgency.