Against the Tide

I recently reread Against the Tide, Angus Kinnear’s biography of Watchman Nee.

The Church’s freedom was taken away when the Communists took over China. Sadly, many believers turned on brothers and sisters through fear and intimidation. Many joined the state-sponsored “Church” despite drastic measures of control by the political powers.

The initial stages of state control were relatively gentle, with implied promises of continued freedom and relatively few limitations. With time, the dark reality was fully evident, but by then the changes and the loss of freedom were permanent.

But, the underground church in China since then has flourished tremendously and been an inspiration to believers all over the world. Is there a similar scenario in the future of the church in America? When there are legal limits imposed on the free expression of the Gospel will that deplete, or create, spiritual vitality among true believers?

Will the loss of our religious civil “rights” be contrary to God's providential plan, or will it be in accord with God’s providential plan?