For centuries, the professing Church in America has basked in a cocoon of comfort and safety, protected by the constitutional promise of religious freedom and the tolerance of a nation that has largely shared the moral values of Christians. Our faith has existed untroubled, in an idyllic echo of early Christian Rome before Nero’s reign of terror. The experience of the American Christian, ensconced in peace and prosperity, has been a stark contrast to the oft-fiery trial of faith depicted in the scriptures and most of the Church’s history.

However, an unsettling shift is now palpable. The formerly mild climate is growing increasingly hostile towards Christians who, fearlessly and uncompromisingly, align themselves with biblical truth and morality. Observing the signs of the times, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that God appears to be lifting His restraining hand, allowing the societal forces of evil to gain momentum, while simultaneously refining His church and separating the sheep from the goats.

Hebrews 11:32-39, often referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame,” chronicles the trials, tribulations, and triumphant faith of Old Testament saints. In this passage, the writer holds up a mirror with a startling reflection of the unfolding tribulations of the modern Christian church in America.

This exploration into the gritty realities of faith provides a strong reminder that the reward for true faith is not always immediate, not always earthly, and certainly not always pleasant. Initially, the passage celebrates the victories achieved through faith. Believers “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”

Yet, the narrative takes a turn, plunging into a stark chronicle of persecution. Many faced mockery, flogging, chains, and imprisonment. Sound familiar? They were stoned, sawn in two, and slain by the sword. They wandered in deserts, mountains, and caves, clothed in skins of sheep and goats. They were canceled.

This part of the text echoes with an eerie resonance. According to some extra-biblical traditions, the prophet Isaiah may have been the one who was sawn in half, though we cannot affirm this with absolute certainty. What is clear, however, is that these saints faced persecution with unflinching resolve, revealing the strength and substance of their faith.

Fast forward to our current era. Christians in America who hold fast to the exclusivity of Christ, adhere to a biblical sexual ethic, and boldly speak out against the onslaught of immorality, particularly concerning homosexuality, transgender ideology, and abortion rights, are finding themselves in the crosshairs of an increasingly secular and intolerant society.

The persecution faced by such Christians may not mirror the physical brutality depicted in Hebrews 11—at least, not yet. Still, we must understand that persecution takes many forms and that the modern forms we face today, in the context of our society, can be just as devastating. For example, being “canceled” or fired from a job because of one’s biblical convictions can wreak havoc on a family’s ability to provide food and shelter.

Social ostracization, particularly in our interconnected world, can inflict deep emotional and psychological wounds, leading to the same kind of despair that it seems many of the prophets of the Old Testament faced. To many, it can be as torturous as physical pain, as deadly as a sword—a pain that only the hope found in Christ can mitigate. In the face of such adversities, our society seems to have an unspoken message: ‘Conform, or bear the consequences.’ The vilification and marginalization of Christians, once unthinkable in America, is becoming a contemptible reality.

Nevertheless, as we stand on the precipice of this new era of persecution, we must not be overcome by fear or led into compromise. We are called to stand firm, as those saints of old, taking to heart the declaration of the Apostle Paul: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). In the midst of trials, we can find solace and strength in the unwavering promises of God.

The ultimate victory belongs to those who keep the faith, those who, like the heroes of Hebrews 11, valiantly persevere through the crucible of persecution. Our reward, beyond the confines of this temporal world, lies in the sovereignty of God, who transcends all earthly powers, orchestrates the unfolding of history, and stands immutable against the shifting tides of societal norms and trends.

Remember, as we face our own trials, the writer of Hebrews reminded us of these men and women of indomitable faith—they are our predecessors. They are our cloud of witnesses, their courage and fortitude illuminate our path forward, and their lives are a symphony of perseverance and faith that ring out from these pages of Scripture.

In our world, marked by turbulent change and shifting societal standards, our unwavering conviction and resolve become more than virtues; they become lifelines. As we step into the days ahead, we must face the storm not with trepidation but with a firm faith rooted in the infallible Word of God.

Our strength cannot lie in our own capabilities or personal strength but rather in our complete and utter reliance on God. As we walk through the valley of societal turmoil, hold fast to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Do not lose hope, but lean into God’s strength and know that in our weakness, His power is magnified. Our faith will not merely survive but shine even more brightly in the darkness, reflecting the light of our Savior, our only hope in the storm. In the end, we are not called to conform to the world but to be separate, to stand against the sin and evil of the world, and remain committed to the truth of the Gospel and the power and grace of our Lord.