The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:7-8 (Berean Study Bible)
In our Cancel Culture, we can get a bit fearful about what is going to happen. We get concerned because the world doesn’t want to hear The Truth anymore. And we wonder what’s next…
Canceled~left and right
Christians are being threatened to be canceled and losing their businesses because of their beliefs. They are being banned from restaurants and schools because they won’t change what they believe. They have been verbally abused for no reason at all other than a cap they wear or a statement they make.
Events, and even some churches, are canceling preachers from coming to speak because of their message. Books and authors are being censored; taken off library shelves and even bookstore shelves. Our national heroes are being canceled by tearing down statues and changing the names of buildings and schools. Even social media is CANCELING our posts on our own accounts and disallowing us to post what we believe. Stores are being shut down for their “wrong” beliefs.
Cancel Culture Can’t Stop the Fire
But all through the ages, we have seen that God’s message continues no matter what happens. Even in the days of Daniel, the kings said stop praying or stop worshiping God. If you don’t, we will CANCEL you, literally threatened to be put to death. I love how the Hebrew children responded,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3
In this case, God saved them from the fire. And later he saved Daniel from the lions. But even if we are persecuted for speaking the Word of God, His Word will still go out. They may cancel the person, but they CANNOT cancel the message!
The Apostles and Believers Knew about Cancel Culture
Jesus proclaimed to Peter that “on this Rock, I will build my church”. It didn’t take long for the masses to turn on the disciples for the things they were preaching. The Early Church faced great persecution in their day. All but one disciple were killed for their faith. And history books tell us about Nero and his feats against the Church. The Apostle Paul was many times stoned, imprisoned, and finally killed for preaching the Gospel but listen to what he says,
And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the Word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
2 Timothy 2
Paul was willing to endure CANCELING for the sake of Christ.
God will Strengthen and Protect us
Jesus said, “in this world, we will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world.” Don’t be fearful of what man can do to you. Jesus’ death and resurrection have overcome death and evil. We may experience physical death, but we will live on forever! (Revelation 20:6) As I have mentioned previously, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians that “God is faithful and He will strengthen you and guard you”. We can take that promise to the bank.
Remember what David said,
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
Psalm 56
and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
God will guard us and strengthen us no matter what we may go through.
Don’t Think it Strange
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you … If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you”.
1 Peter 4:12, 14, NKJV
It’s not strange that society wants to cancel us. These trials only make us stronger. They cause us to lean hard onto the Lord.
We will be Rewarded in Heaven
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Revelations 2:10
God sees us. He helps us. And He will reward us if we persevere. Together with God, we’ve got this.
History Proves Canceling Does Not Work
There have been many throughout history who have given their lives for the Gospel. Consider how believers were persecuted in the Bible. But persecution actually caused the Word of God to spread all over the known world.
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:19-21
Many nations have tried to suppress the Word of God by making it illegal to worship God or to evangelize pushing the Church underground. But later when missionaries returned to these places, they found that the Church had multiplied and strengthened during those years of persecution.
God is Busy About His Plan
So though it may be scary to think about the course of our country and our own lives. We can be comforted to know that God is still working. He is either preparing to spark a new fire of revival in the land or…
it is just possible that He may be at this time, rising from His Throne to call His Church home. If you aren’t certain about this, take time to read Jesus’ discourse on the end times in Matthew 24:3-31
There is ONE THING I am glad got CANCELED
No matter who has canceled what, I can depend on one thing. My sin debt has been canceled and I look forward to my citizenship in Heaven. Praise God! Jesus canceled my debt.
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:14
Don’t cancel out your faith.
Keep Believing.
Confident that God is in Control!
This post inspired by post at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Pastor’s Wife (retired) & Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.
