The story came out last month. "Andrew Thorburn resigned as chief executive of Australian Football League club Essendon a day after his appointment." Why? What was so catastrophic as to terminate his appointment that quickly? Well, he was linked to the unexcusable.
Thorburn, "a former chief executive of National Australia Bank, one of the country's biggest banks," was appointed as chief executive of Australian Football League club Essendon and then terminated because the loser was associated with a church. Not just any church. Thornburn was also on the board of City on a Hill church in Melbourne. The church had controversial views. You know ... biblical ones. "Essendon cited a 2013 article published by the church that urged people with 'same-sex attraction' to seek help from senior Christians to 'survive these temptations.'" Mind you, Thornburn was no paragon of Christian standards. He served as the chairman of the board at City on a Hill church, but assured the public, "As it happens, I do sometimes disagree with things I hear in church." But it didn't matter. Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters, "Those views are absolutely appalling. I don’t support those views, that kind of intolerance, that kind of hatred, bigotry." Message received. To counter intolerance, hatred, and bigotry, they will practice intolerance, hatred, and bigotry. Those who hold to a biblical world view will not be allowed.
Jesus promised His disciples, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18). Paul assured Timothy, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12). And this shouldn't be offered as a complaint, as a victim. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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" (Matt 5:10-12). It's not a complaint; it's a matter for rejoicing (James 1:2-4). So, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13). Just understand that your money and your life belong to Jesus, so don't deny Him to save what isn't yours. And don't be surprised if this kind of thinking from Australia is not coming soon to a country near you.
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