You may know that Christianity
had a long relationship with the Roman Empire, but did you know that it all began with Mary and
Joseph returning to Bethlehem in order to take part of the Roman census? Jesus
respected the Roman government (paid the tax in Matthew 22:15-21) and even healed the centurion’s
servant (Matthew 8:5). He was sentenced to the cross by Pontius Pilate and his tomb was guarded
by Roman soldiers. The Romans initially viewed Jesus as a rebel, causing problems
in the state of Israel. However, they could not keep him in the grave nor suppress
his movement. Then the Romans began to view it as a religion for the poor and slaves
(since equality was preached) and an odd heresy. The emperors took offense
because the Christians were monotheistic and would not worship any other gods.
Thus the Christians became very
unpopular with the Romans (mainly the powerful male Patricians). Yet, as the disciples spread and the conversion of Paul occurred, the
number of believers multiplied. Paul’s success at Ephesus provoked a riot to
defend the cult of the goddess Artemis. Eventually,
Paul was able to take his teachings to Rome itself. If Christians were caught, they
faced the penalty of death, because they refused to worship the emperor. It was
commonplace for emperors to turn Roman citizens against the Christians, in the
hope of impeding the spread of conversion. Once there was a fire that reduced a
huge part of Rome to ashes. The Emperor Nero blamed it on the Christians,
further pitting the citizens against them. Although, the story goes on to reveal Nero building
over that section a huge palace for himself.
It is
incredibly sad that Nero
punished Christians so cruelly. He tested their faith by forcing them to choose between
their faithfulness to God or to bow down and worship him. If they refused him or
the other gods, he would have them stoned, fed to wild beasts, nailed to the
cross, or were burned alive and served as torches at night. The early
converts to Christianity in ancient Rome
had to face persecution on a regular basis, forcing them to meet in catacombs
and underground churches. This is where the symbol of the ichthus comes from.
Believers would use the Greek word for fish, since Christ empowered the disciples
to become “fishers of men,” to see if another person was a believer. Women also
became a large population in the church.
Despite
the dangers of becoming a believer, the converts grew as they were fulfilled in
their relationship with Christ and admired the martyr’s faith. Rome had a very large
number of poor, so Christianity continued to grow and finally became a large
majority. Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal (more so tolerating all
religions) and for the first time, Christians were finally allowed to openly
worship. Churches were built in Rome and throughout the empire. Under Theodosius,
Christianity became the official religion and the worship of other gods was
made illegal. An interesting turn of events, for sure!
So why the history lesson you say? Well I could say that in the recent years, the western world is reverting to its Roman ways. Just take a look at America as a case in point: our military is spread all over the world, we are a trade empire, we are enslaved to our materialism... I could go on. With God no longer at the helm of this country, we have put Him on the shelf of our lives to be dusted off every now and then when we need the bills paid or Aunt Susie's cancer healed. What do we expect but to fall to chaos again? I could refer to the law of thermodynamics that the world is always on the course of greater chaos (or as chemists call it, entropy). Where have we gone wrong?
There are many reasons, and before fingers are pointed and people are blamed, I must ask you to stop and look in the mirror. Now I could be alone in this, but sometimes I just spend a few minutes looking at myself in the mirror. Not in a vain or self deprecating way, but just to REALLY look at myself. I think of all the decisions that led me to that point of time. I think of who I have become. I take inventory of my character and faith. Do I have that same martyr faith like the early Christians? Would I rather get eaten by lions or set on fire, than deny my faith? Although I would really like to say, "YES OF COURSE!" ... I see no evidence of that type of faith in my life now.
Sure I try, but am I disciplined? No. This realization this past week has really hit me hard. I am tangled in so many responsibilities and projects and relationships that I have lost sight of my first task: become disciplined. When you become a Christian, you pray to the Lord and ask forgiveness and for the Holy Spirit to come live in your heart so that you may be guided along the journey that is life. Next, you make a public declaration of faith (through baptism) so that you commit your decision and your church family can support you. Most churches will plug you into some kind of bible study and/or ministry next. Sadly, many new believers accept Christ, but never get to those next steps or (like in my case) you follow through all the steps and then you move away to a new town and struggle to find a new church. Then you find yourself adding other things to your plate (although perhaps good in nature) and completely lose sight of the discipline you once had.
But as I look at myself in the mirror, (the baggy eyed, stressed out, emotionally suppressed, overweight, undisciplined self) I see those same brown eyes that cried at the altar, only 5 years ago. Those round chocolate orbs that twinkle ever so gently; a window to my soul. That twinkle is a reminder that the Holy Spirit still dwells inside the chamber: my moral compass, my strength, my discipline. All I need is to stop the rush and torrent of chasing after life and just kneel. Just bow down to the Creator of the Universe who orchestrates all the things I worry and stress over (as well as the entire world's), who sent His one and only son to rescue me from my lack of discipline, who loves me despite my tendencies to push Him away.
So I pray that I will become disciplined. I pray that I will one day attain the martyr's faith. I pray that there is a renewal in this martyr type faith in my friends and family, church, school, country, and world. I pray that the martyr's faith does what its meant to do: be true, altruistic, and disciplined in love. Enough with the hate, finger pointing, and excuses. First look in the mirror, and I mean REALLY look, then pray. I pray for you too, and I hope that my confession and shortcomings and pain may help you in some way as you look into the windows of your own soul. Even if it is only one sheep that returns to the shepherd, that one's return will be greatly rejoiced.
Verses to follow up with: Romans 12: 1-2, Matthew 18:13
**Please be reminded that I am certainly not perfect or holier than anyone. I am only sharing my thoughts for my own catharsis and in the hopes that it may help someone.To God be the glory if that one person is helped.
