Today in the year 313 the Edict of Milan by the Roman Emperors Constantine and Licinius was posted in Nicomedia. The proclamation granted freedom of religion for people in the Empire which meant it was now legal to be a Christian. This was a dramatic change from two-and a-half centuries of persecution. And in a couple of generations Christians had taken the reins of power everywhere in the empire and were using their new-found position to persecute other religions and sometimes other Christians with whom they had a disagreement. How quickly things turned!

A sociologist explained to me that it is natural for people to be afraid of others who differ from us. The task for all human beings is to get beyond that fear. I have to admit Christians have not been very good at getting beyond fear. They have frequently used force to make others conform to what they want. It’s a sad history.

At the heart of fear is a lack of faith. A person might not believe that the message of Christianity is powerful enough to persuade others, so they want to force others to do something like listen to Christian prayers or hear the Bible read. Why do some think the use of puny human power is stronger than the power of God?

Trust God. Have faith that prayer can transform people even if they don’t hear it. Believe that the God’s Word is active even if a person doesn’t own a Bible. Let your faith shape your life and cast out fear.

Read Luke 12:32 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne