The newest shot heard around the Christian world: Starbucks infamous red holiday cups. I usually don't jump on the bandwagon of the next thing to blog about, but my morning quiet time and devotion led me to a response in all the madness happening. For the most part, many who are like-minded are appalled at the negative response and the claim of supposed persecution taking place on Christians. Then there are others who are in support of "taking a stand" over some cardboard for Jesus. Some, like social media personality Joshua Feuerstein who tell his followers to tell baristas their names are "Merry Christmas" forcing baristas to write Merry Christmas on the cups and even say it. So, is this really something a believer should be concerned about?
1 Peter 4:12-16 speak of suffering/persecution and how our response should be:
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Suffering will happen, but it is shared in Christ's suffering
Suffering and persecution are common in the life of a believer of Jesus. However, suffering as Christ suffered is more than just daily life trials or certain traditions and comforts are threatened. Suffering comes because Christ is boldly being proclaimed that suffering/persecution would look like His. How did Christ suffer? He was verbally assaulted, abandoned by family and friends, beaten, plotted against toward death, wrongfully arrested, cast out of society, was not believed as God's Son, and ultimately killed. Maybe...maybe one could make the case that something like this cup incident is a casting out of society, but it is more over tradition than the name of Jesus. I fear as a group, American Christians have forgotten it is about the person of Jesus and not traditions we stand firm upon. Even more, how does a coffee cup really impact one's life for the gospel? Instead, buy a cup of coffee for someone and share about God's love and redemption through Jesus. If that person throws hot coffee in your face or begin berating you for crazy beliefs then you can claim suffering/persecution. If this happens, rejoice that you have joined Christ in the mission and work of redemption and that God's Spirit rests upon you. If they reject your offer of coffee or of Jesus, then move on...its not suffering.
Stupid mistakes or sin does not equal suffering
Peter states that you should not suffer as a murder or thief or evildoer. Why? Cause its contrary to the gospel and it is not suffering. You have sinned and suffer either consequences for your actions. Interestingly, Peter also says not to suffer as a "troublesome meddler". Here is the great sin of many Christians today involved in the unnecessary debates and public outcry. The word Peter uses is unique and not seen much in Greek. Scholars understand this to mean someone who involves themselves in the business of others. One scholar I looked into even said implications could be an over zealous denouncing of pagan habits. To be a troublesome meddler is to essentially be one stirring up controversy for the sake of generating "suffering" that is not really suffering at all. What if the supposed "war on Christians" that runs through social media is nothing more than believers being troublesome meddlers and many have fallen prey to it? We know that Scripture speaks of a spiritual war taking place that influences our physical world. But, have we actually fallen into a trap that brings more upon us than we really should experience?
We are to not be ashamed of suffering as a Christian
When we truly face suffering for Christ, we should not be ashamed. What does this look like? How about the hundreds of Christians in Iraq who were demanded to renounce Christ or face death? To be ashamed is to deny the person of Jesus. The apostle Peter knows something about that...3 times in fact he was ashamed. Thankfully, grace extends even in those moments of weakness. How about those moments we must speak truth to others about the gospel and risk life, security, employment, housing, slander, the loss of a friend or family member? If we cannot speak God's truth then are we not ashamed? Whether a cup represents Christmas right, from a business that could care less about whether you believe in Christ or not, is not suffering. In fact, it makes our faith look petty, foolish (not as Paul speaks of it), and built on traditions and not a Person.
Last Thoughts
Recently a Facebook post from a church member of a former church I attended stated that a young woman from the Middle East was baptized in the church. The pastor who baptized her spoke in her native tongue and was asked several question. Two of them were: 1) You are aware you will suffer persecution as a Christian? and 2) Are you willing to die for Christ?. Wow! Not, if your coffee cup carries no Christmas message will you "die" for that? Our God is big enough to make His name famous, He doesn't need us to do it for Him. What He wants is for us to submit to His kingship, deny ourselves, our "rights", and be open to His work through us! Finally, remember that as believers we are to love one another and correct one another in love. This "debate" should not lead to further division or fighting. It should lead to a laying down of self and loving one another as Christ loves us.
