Last weekend marked the Fourth of July, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Some 12 years later the Constitution of the United States was ratified. Two years after that the Bill of Rights, containing the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was also ratified. These are the seminal documents of our country and the ones looked to when laws are tested and rights are claimed by the citizens of this country.
From its inception, Christianity has enjoyed a place of privilege in the United States. When the First Amendment speaks of “freedom of religion” it certainly had in mind the Christian religion in its various expressions. That right has been rightly extended to other religions, but Christianity has been the prominent religion in the history of this country.
This place of privilege has allowed Christians to assume that our beliefs are not to be challenged. Any assault upon them are a provocation to press our rights. This is all well and good as long as the Constitution is interpreted in a manner that allows us the “free exercise” of our religion. But of late, interpretation has not been going in a way that supports biblical morals and, as a consequence, Christianity is no longer viewed positively. The belief system that historically undergirded the morality of our nation is now, for all intents and purposes, declared immoral, and the church is struggling to accept the new state of affairs.
But the apostle Peter says that we should not be surprised when a “fiery trial” comes upon us, and people “insult” us because we claim allegiance to Jesus and biblical teachings. Such is to be expected. He gives three reasons for it. First, it serves to test our faith, which when found to be genuine and lasting will be to the glory of God and the church (1:7; 4:12-13). Second, it comes with the territory of being brought under the sway of mores different than those that used to guide us. This pits us against the world and they do not like it. As a result, we have the joy of sharing in the sufferings of the one who was condemned by the world he came to save (4:1-5, 12-16). Third, God’s intention is to present to his son a holy bride so he turns up the heat to produce righteousness in her. This intentional purifying has been his practice among his people throughout his dealings with them (4:17; Malachi 3:1-3).
