I feel a lot of things about the future, but fear is rarely one of them.

I’ve had several conversations about fear lately, with folks who have different political views from me but share a similar faith background. I try to end these discussions the same way each time… I feel a lot of things about the future, but fear is rarely one of them.

These talks usually include what-ifs and worst-case scenarios, and they usually end with Christians being persecuted or at the very least, moved to the minority and the margins. Are you paying attention? See this slippery slope? Doesn’t this scare you?

I’m all for using the language you want to use (see this post), but I’d like to argue a case against this type of rhetoric. For a Christian to live in a constant state of fear, or even to encourage dialogue that lands on fear instead of pointing back to Jesus implies two things. First, it says that you don’t trust God. Second, it says that you feel your job as a Christian on earth is to advance God’s kingdom through force, in both the law of the land and in culture. Both of these notions are ineffective at best, destructive at worst, and sinful regardless.

Do I want to be restricted or persecuted for following Jesus in the United States? Of course not. Unfortunately, it’s one of the only things I’m promised in Scripture, along with God’s presence and comfort. John 15 and Matthew 5 are great examples. If Jesus was treated poorly for who he was, we are guaranteed similar treatment from time to time. Are we to storm the gates of whatever person or institution we feel is at fault? Are we to fight back? Nope. Matthew 5 and Romans 12 are very clear on that. We are to pray for those who persecute us. We are to serve and love and submit to leaders. We are to live in harmony with one another, despite our circumstances.

Do I anticipate restriction or persecution for following Jesus in the United States? No. Our country was founded on religious liberty, not religion itself; many laws were written into place to protect that. Remember, we are not currently a Christian nation by law, we never truly have been, and we never will be. That being said, I can’t tell the future. It’s just nice to know that the Constitution already addressed this hundreds of years ago so I don’t have to.

Do I fear persecution for following Jesus in the United States? Still, no. In countries where Christianity has never been mainstream or even legal, the Church is alive and well. It is flourishing. We could only hope to have a vibrant, selfless Body of Christ in the United States like some I’ve seen across the ocean. Acts and Romans give us an excellent template, should we ever have to “go underground.” While I’m at it, I’d argue it’s the original template for the Church in general; perhaps we’ve grown uncomfortable with it because we’ve strayed so far from it.

But I digress. Back to fear. In sickness, in death, in hardship… the Church will always have the potential to thrive and grow. We were never promised a building or a majority or a seat at the table “in the room where it happens.” My hope and my home are in heaven. I have experienced devastation before, and I will again before I finish this life. But I’d like to spend the time I have left being at peace, not afraid.