"For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God." 1 Peter 2:20

Before we complain about being persecuted, we ought to examine our own conduct and actions as church body and examine whether we behaved in an unworthy manner, bringing this on our own heads. Had the LCMS boldly stood for the doctrinal truth that we declared in the 1994 CTCR Racism and the Church: Overcoming Idolatry, we could truly say that we were faithful. But alas, we did not. We did not light the candle of truth for the dark world. Rather we let our light be hid. Let it not be said of us that we are unwilling to repent and confront our sins head on. God, who is merciful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness.