Wrongly Accused? No, I Don't Know the Meaning

"Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." John 15:20 NIV

What does it mean to be persecuted? What does it mean to be falsely accused? In recent years, we've seen what happens when false accusations lead to persecution, at least in the court of public opinion. And the false accusation in the Duke lacrosse case, has led to a tragic tale for the accuser.

So what do those terms mean in this country? Is the Duke lacrosse case our best example of false accusation and persecution? In recent times, maybe. Some may look at the O.J. Simpson case as a better example, although many would say the prosecution handled the case poorly allowing Mr. Simpson to go free.

And yet, every day around the world, persecution and false accusations occur. The two cases I mentioned were high profile cases. But what about those that aren't high profile? What about those that are persecuted for their faith? What about those who are acutally living John 15:20?

It's happening even as I type this. It happens all around the world. Two tweet links below:

 

Video of an Iranian couple persecuted for their faith

Chinese police prevent Easter House Church Worship

So how do those compare to the Duke lacrosse and O.J. Simpson cases? In short answer: they don't. There is no comparison. The Duke and O.J. cases involved a well-known university and a well-knows athlete. Both involved what makes America take notice: money and race. The Duke case had "white, wealthy young men" against a poor, black woman who danced for a living. Meanwhile, the O.J. case had the "wealthy, famous athlete" accused of killing his "white" wife against a system of 'alleged' corruption, the L.A. police department.

The two stories tweeted about above don't involve money or race. They involve 'religion' or what I'd prefer to call "faith". Faith, or rather faith in Jesus Christ, is a crime in many countries around the world. Here in America? It's not a crime. Yet. I believe there will come a day when even speaking the name of Jesus Christ will be a crime here. What makes me believe that? Call it observances of the times. Here in America, it is becoming more common-place to be shut up for your faith in the court of law. Although I am a believer that so-called "faith" speech can be taken too far (e.g. Westboro Baptist Church). But, there will be a day when what Christians around the world currently experience will happen here.

So, what does this all mean? It means that America, in general, doesn't have a clue to what true persecution really means. Me included. I am just like so many Christians in America who happily sing songs about/to Jesus. Do the church thing. Be involved in 'ministry'. And, of course, the ever-present try to do the right thing each and every day, including pray. Can't forget the ever-present, read my bible. That is really what it's all about right? (Yes, I am being very sarcastic here).

You see I am very down on the American church right now. It seems so often that the American church is about status, pride, money, position, braggadocio, etc. The American church, while it does do good, worries too much about themselves. Yes, we have outreach ministries, childrens' ministries, youth ministries', mens' and womens' ministries, oh, I could go on and on. Of course, these ministries do change lives, don't get me wrong on that. But after a life is changed, then what. Go about our business, every day of the week, without so much as thinking, just thinking, about those who are persecuted or falsely accused for their faith. I was reminded of this fact in my own life this week, albeit in a very POOR illustration.

When one is thirsty while running errands, one often stops at the store to grab something to drink. That's precisely what I did on Thursday, April 28, 2011. I stopped at a local grocery store to grab a quick drink. Walking to the back of the store to the cold drink section, I looked around for my drink of choice, Sugar-free AMP, but they didn't have any. Bummer. So I walked across the back of the store to the soda aisle to see if I could find a non-cold Sugar-free AMP. Still nothing. I stood there looking like a lost-dog, if you can picture it, all because they didn't have my favorite drink. My next brilliant idea was to look for something to eat (don't ask how my brain works,it just thought that). Walking up the chip aisle, I found nothing. Back of the store I go again to the cold-drink section and grabbed a drink, not my Sugar-free AMP. Seeing as how I also wanted something to eat, I walked around the deli, couldn't find anything that looked good, not even scones and decided I wanted Chinese food from the deli counter. Waited in line for at least 5 minutes (the horror I know), before my order was taken. Paid for my food and drink after what seemed like another eternal 5 minutes and headed out the door. Only to be stopped by an over-zealous young security guard who proceeded to tell me she saw me stick a Coke in my pocket so I couldn't go anywhere. I tried to argue with her that I didn't take anything and that I didn't know what she was talking about. She proceeded to frisk my jacket and in not so many words tell me I was lying. Another young man (both were plain-clothed security guards) comes behind me and tells me to come inside. I had to stand there for 10 minutes defending myself for something I didn't do. I allowed her to check my jacket again. I explained, in detail, exactly what I did. Only then did the guy say that he "had" to believe me if I said I didn't take anything; only that I needed to help him fill out a form on the incident since they had to talk to me. Overzealous girl security surely didn't believe me. She lied through her teeth by following his lead and saying "If you say you didn't then I believe you". I wasn't sure what to do. I thought the whole thing a joke. Surely I was getting Punk'd or something. It was an overwhelming feeling of bewilderment that I felt.

Even now, I'm not sure what to think about the whole thing. I was still very shaken by it yesterday. Never had that happened to me in my entire life. I didn't know what to do. The only thing I knew how to do was tell the truth; oh, and pray for it to end quickly. In reality, it seems like such a trivial thing compared to those persecuted or falsely-accused because of their faith. But, this episode made me realize what we in the American church, ME especially, don't fully grasp. In suburbia America, does the husband or wife with 2 kids, a dog and a cat, really understand what persecution is. Is it 'not being allowed' to put a "Jesus" saying on your desk? Is that persecution? What about not being allowed to wear a faith t-shirt to school? Is that persecution? Being stopped at the grocery store and accused of stealing a drink after you just paid for a drink and food at the deli? Is that falsely-accused?

Who am I to say. Are there different levels of it? Perhaps. Or maybe we ALL need to open our eyes to the 'world' not just right around us but to what's going on beyond our comfort zone. God told me something a long time ago that I have never forgotten:

It's time to get out of your comfort zone and into MINE.

Until next time,

RSPS Sunny