"And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace" - Romans 11:4-5 (NIV).
There is a common false belief to imagine Christians or more specifically believers and followers of Christ as being of a marjority faith. Of course we have had of Christian nations where it is assumed Christ followers are in the marjority. Much as this might sound flattering the reality is followers of Christ have and will always be a minority group.
This was clearly evident at the start of the early church when followers of Christ were restricted to their houses from where they fellowshiped. Following Apostle Paul's conversion and the spread of Christianity among the Gentiles the numbers of Jesus followers grew but not to a point of being in the marjority. Christians were intensily persecuted by the Romans until 312 when Emperor Constantine decided to embrace the faith and turn it into a state religion.
Following that it has been common to find nations where Christianity is paraded as a state religion- such as the Anglican church headed by the monarch of England. However, the truth is when it comes to following Christ in obedience of his commands the numbers are just not there.
These days it is increasingly becoming more so in certain "Christian nations" with legislation making it harder to practice the Christian faith based on the Bible. There are nations that are avowedly atheist like China soon to become the number one economy.
This though should never trouble us for as our verse shows from the days of Noah there is "a remnant chosen by grace"! And clearly these are not in the marjority. For the truth is, "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Mathew 20:22).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for this personal faith in you which I deeply treasure and so help me persevere in truth to the end, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
