Every day it seems like the world is coming apart. The wind blows and howls all around us and we, in moments of weakness, can give in to feelings of fear or panic. For many Christians in the world today, that wind and tempest is directed against their faith. Many of my own fellow Christians have told me that the world has turned against Christians — in the Middle East, the birthplace of Christianity, the Christian faith is fading and facing extermination. In public life in many western countries, Christians have felt like they are being silenced — and I cannot dispute this. It is real and we know it. It has been real for a very long time now.
So what do we do in such a time? We have not far to go to look for advice. For Christianity was born into travail and hardship and suffered from far more than just silencing. Early Christians faced torture and death if they dared speak of their faith in Christ Jesus. Hear what the writer tells us in 1 Peter 3:13-15 and take heart:
13 “Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.”
What harm can come to you if you belong to Christ Jesus? What is the worst that can happen? That you will die? You will live with Christ forever. If a loved one should die? You will live with them through all eternity — I say this as a father who has lost a child. Those of us who have loved and lost have not really lost at all. I do not dwell on past memories of my child but look to the future instead. This is an attitude that those who do not yet believe cannot fathom—but it is the way of Christ who said to the bandit crucified at his side, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
Keep on doing what is good. For even if you do suffer, 1 Peter tells us that we are blessed. No, of course, that does not make sense outside the circle of faith. But absolutely nothing makes sense outside faith in God. Without God there is no reason to do what is good. Without God, nothing has meaning. As Dostoyevsky said, “If there is no God, then everything is permitted.”
But the world is not meaningless, and what we do on this good earth makes a difference, now, and forever. What the world outside of Christ fears is emptiness and death. And at times, the Christian, though faithful in the main, may succumb to these fears and begin to tremble.
But take heart and be strong in the Lord. 1 Peter tells us: “Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated.” How can we do this? How is this possible?
The way is made clear in that 15th verse: “…but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.”
Sanctify. Make holy. In the silent sanctuary of your heart, make Christ holy. Notice a wonderful thing. The precise words are: “sanctify Christ as Lord.” It does not say “sanctify Christ the Lord,” or “sanctify the Lord Christ.” No. That would be great, of course. But it would miss the point. For the early Christians suffered not just because they held a faith that was different from the beliefs around them; they suffered because they called Jesus “Lord,” not Caesar or King Herod. They refused to worship Caesar as God even at the point of death.
Begin now to sanctify Christ at every moment of the day. Be fearless. Let the winds blow and the tempest flail away. In the sanctuary of your heart, there is perfect calm. The wind does not blow there or howl or frighten. It has no power over us. Amen.
