Opposition to the gospel is nothing new. Oh, it might seem that way in modern America. After all, we have come to expect freedom not only to believe what we want, but safely to express our faith in our daily actions and interactions with others. We are thus accustomed to being admired for what we believe and how we live. And so as our traditional cultural consensus based on Christian values erodes, we find ourselves bewildered, shocked and angry.

But most of the Church throughout the world would have no trouble acknowledging the truth of Paul’s words: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (3:12). And as the broader culture in the United States increasingly puts its faith in the government rather than in Christ, in human science rather than in Scripture, and in emotions rather than in the Holy Spirit, examples of the wickedness that Paul describes in 3:2-5 are becoming the norm rather than the exception. And as more and more people within the Church embrace a false gospel of worldly prosperity and comfort, it is no accident that they are turning away their ears from the truth (4:4). In a very real sense, things in America are just returning to the worldwide historical norm.

So, how should Christians bear witness to Christ in a time of moral collapse both within and outside the Church? Well, Paul told Timothy first to seek wisdom from the Holy Scriptures, and to base all of his teachings only on God’s Word (3:14-17). Now, to be sure, Paul also says that such teaching must be patient and gentle, and that even while we correct those who have turned away from the Scripture we must pray that God would grant them repentance and clearer sight (2:24-25). But no matter what opposition may come our way, we must continue to do the work of an evangelist (4:5), proclaiming the lordship of Christ and the salvation offered to all who would trust in Him.

But make no mistake – as the culture around us careens into godlessness, such a Biblically-based, Christ-centered message will increasingly mean that we are called to share in Paul’s example of suffering (3:10-12). That’s why Paul told Timothy to endure hardship (4:5) – simply put, suffering for the sake of Christ is not a bug but a feature of the Christian life.

So, when Christian institutions and churches lose their tax-exempt status, or are forced to retain as employees those who openly reject Biblical standards of morality, or are required to allow their facilities to be used for godless ceremonies, we shouldn’t be bewildered. When Christian individuals are fired from their jobs or hounded on social media because we hold to God’s standards for sexual behavior and marriage, we shouldn’t be shocked or angry. Instead, we have to do what what Paul called Timothy to do – faithfully, patiently and lovingly to explain what the Scriptures teach about grace, holiness and truth, and to endure whatever hardship may come our way as a result. That’s what Paul did. And that’s what Jesus did. And if we would follow Jesus, we can do no less.

II Timothy 3:10-4:5 (NASB)

10 But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me!
12 And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them;
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.