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The drum beat of those who preach the religion of “tolerance” in our time has been growing louder and louder every day.

This is not a surprise, nor is it by accident.  Throughout history, whenever attempts were made to silence the Christians, their persecutors often implemented the “false accusation” of intolerance method.

Remember Nero and all of Rome? First Century Rome worshipped at the altar of “tolerance”. They were tolerant of many gods and numerous religions.  The one thing they could not stand and sought to eliminate were those pesky Christians who insisted that there was only ONE true God, and He came from Heaven in human flesh, born of a virgin, died on a cross, and more importantly rose from the dead on the third day.

Those Christians, who claimed that Jesus was the ONLY way to salvation and Heaven, represented a threat to the tolerance of Rome, and its love for polytheism. Silencing them, by any means, became the state’s mission.

The courts, the media, public opinion, religious leaders of the day, and yes, even the government were all united to expose and punish the Christians’ for their “intolerance” and their refusal to believe that “all roads lead to the light”…sound familiar?

To be sure, Rome did not have hundreds of years of Christian enlightenment and history as we do now, and that is why the judgment upon those who are on a mission to silence the true Christian voices today will be far more severe than those of ancient Rome.

Early Christians should teach us a number of lessons.

1. We must pray for our persecutors and those who set themselves as our enemies. (Luke 6:27-28)
2. We must never return hate for hate. (Luke 6:29)
3. We can be sure that our love will conquer their intolerance of Christians and Christian values. (Romans 8:36-39)
4. We must be prepared and willing to pay the price of our discipleship. (Matthew 5:10-12)

Following Christ Jesus does not come without paying a price, but we know that it cannot be compared to the riches of eternal life. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

I often find it amusing, enlightening and equally frustrating to read some of the Arabic/Islamic press. They have a knack for turning truth on its head. And when that happens, one gets a unique perspective. The brouhaha over some Islamists’ take on Obama being Muslim or not Muslim is absolutely fascinating.

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While traveling to Australia and England this summer, I was amazed, but not surprised, at the fever-pitch level the so-called “environmentalists” have reached. Every second word on television is “environment” … “green” … “mother earth.” Every second commercial boasted that their product is “earth friendly.”

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Have you ever asked yourself this question?

“Why are we having more debates on ‘racism’ today when we have the first black president in our nation's history?”

There are several reasons that I, an African-born American, can offer here. 

1. “Racism” is used as a tool on the part of those who are benefiting from stirring the pot of “racism." 
2. “Racism” is far less real than some of the political merchants make it out to be.
3. “Racism” is a condition of the heart. And as long as the heart of this nation is rejecting the God of power and might—the God who alone can change the heart of men and women and thus the heart of the nation—this issue among others will be used as a political football.
4. Until we repent of all our sins and turn to God, enthroning Him upon our hearts and therefore upon the heart of the nation, “racism” will be one of those issues that will be used and abused by many.

America is in trouble not for lack of “a dialogue on racism,” but because we are running away from God.

Recently former congressman and former college football star J.C. Watts, a black American, was asked about the race issue. Here is how he answered it:

"I preached recently at The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia where Dr. Michael Youssef is the pastor. The people inside The Church of The Apostles did not look like Michael Youssef, they did not look like J.C. Watts, and they did not look like Randy Evans (J.C. Watts’ attorney and a member of The Church of The Apostles). They looked like what heaven will be like. It was not a white congregation; it was not a black congregation. It was a congregation of believers."

To say anything other than “Amen!” to that quote would be self-serving.