Modern Rome

³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ 
                                       -  Matthew 23:30




   The crowd perches on the edge of their seats as the lion stalks out of its cage. As one, they swing their eyes to the trembling victim in the middle of the arena. Hushed whispers and little else can be heard as the lion circles its prey. If your close enough, you can count its ribs and see the cold, hungry look in its eye. Suddenly, as though some-how connected, the lion and crowd surge forward, reveling in the carnage.

  Know what that is? Yep, you guessed it, the Colosseum; the most astounding symbol of human depravity, probably ever. But you know what, when you turn the hard, stadium seating, into plush chairs, and the lion into a zombie, I have just described the nightly scene in many homes and theaters nation wide. Think about that one! 

   We can condemn the Romans for their depraved blood lust, and thank our lucky stars that we live in a civilized era, but the truth is, Americans today are just as blood thirsty as the ancient Romans!  

   I see your head nodding through my computer screen, but I'm about to add a twist that might get you where it hurts. You ready? The difference between the bloody arenas of yesteryear and the high tech t.v. screens of today, is this: while in Rome the Christians were the ones suffering for the entertainment of the masses, the Christians in America are the masses. 

   You can spit and sputter all you want about how there is a difference, but I fail to see how watching zombies suck peoples brains out ( I guess that's what happens?)  and watching lions rip them to shreds is that different. Oh, and lest you use the argument that its not real, I want you to consider the motive. Why is that even an option for Christians today? Our God is a God of life and of light, not of darkness and death. We are called to live in His glorious light, and no where in the Bible are light and death compared. In fact, darkness and death are more often used, consider these verses: Job 3:5, Psalm 107:10-11, and Psalm 107:14. 

   Now I don't say these things to judge anyone, but to exhort my brothers and sisters in Christ. (and contrary to popular belief, sometimes that includes saying hard things) I am saddened by the state of modern Christianity, it has all the weakness of the world and none of the strength of Christ. And I truly believe that once we stop acting like the world we will shed it's weakness and its inhibitions and learn to live productive, victorious lives. Lets step out and live differently. Let's show with our actions (or lack thereof) that we are sick to death of this 'arena Christianity' and we are ready to live outside of modern Rome, 'in a land where we'll never grow old'.