Hostile to the Gospel

Recently I was sitting in the waiting room with my husband. We were the 2nd to arrive at 6:30 am. There was one other couple that arrived at the same time we did, but they entered first.  I was pleasantly surprised that the office had the TV on so early but also that it was tuned in on a channel with a Christian talk show on.  Very quickly after arriving I heard the other man say to his wife, "you better change it before it's too late."  She didn't move.  Probably another minute or two passed but it was obvious that he was irritated from him shifting in his seat and his 'hrumphing and sounds of exasperation.  

A second time he said, "I'm going to change it, I can't take it."  So he proceeded to get up and change the channel.  

Have you noticed that people are often not neutral to the gospel?  They can be quite hostile to the gospel, and Scripture indicates it is going to get worse.  Our culture teaches/preaches tolerance but what they seem to mean is tolerance of any thing and every thing OTHER than Christianity.  I heard a radio speaker this week referring to legislation regarding hate speech, which would make it illegal to teach that Jesus Christ is the only way, basically because it would be "hateful" to all the other ways.  

Why are we surprised?  Jesus warned us.  

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

In spite of all these hostilities, never forget: in the end we win because Jesus has overcome the world.  

Diane