Many Christians Take Church For Granted

 

I think it is important to remember that many of the people we consider to be Christian heroes, and who actually are Christian heroes, were often considered troublemakers by the "respectable" Christians of their time. One thing these respectable Christians accused these people of being is "enthusiasts".

John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's Progress is a great example of one of these “enthusiasts”.

John Bunyan was imprisoned for twelve years due to his refusal to stop preaching as a nonconformist, which was illegal under the laws of his time. Bunyan, was a Baptist preacher, and he was arrested in 1660 under the Conventicle Act, which prohibited religious gatherings outside the Church of England. This law was part of a broader effort to suppress nonconformist movements, which were viewed with suspicion by the authorities, especially after the Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. Bunyan's meetings were seen as a potential threat to the stability of the kingdom, as nonconformists were often associated with revolutionary sentiments; like the idea that Jesus was the head of the Church and the Scripture alone should dictate our teaching.

During his trial, Bunyan was accused of "persistent and willful transgression" of the Conventicle Act. He openly admitted to conducting religious services outside the established church, stating, "I have never attended services in the Church of England, nor do I intend ever to do so". His refusal to conform to the established church's practices and his commitment to preaching led to his conviction. The magistrates sentenced him to three months in prison, with the threat of further punishment if he continued to preach after his release.

Which he did. He was dedicated to preaching the gospel and he was willing to suffer for it.

I think the stage is being set for us to learn the hard way not to squander the liberties our forefathers earnt for us, by their faithful witness to the gospel. Society is turning in a direction where people who hold long cherished and practiced Christian beliefs are being seen as anti-social. Society is beginning to move closer to the kind of autocracy that Bunyan lived under, where dissent was not tolerated, or at least barely tolerated.

People take our current liberties for granted. They take church for granted. They take Christian fellowship for granted, ranking it often under kids sport, and other activities. What else would God do, but in his kindness remind us why it is so important to take our faith seriously?