There a lot of heroes scattered all over the Bible. The feats done by these heroes range from  delivering their people from their enemies, winning wars, taking the gospel far and wide, martyred for the cause of the gospel and so on.

These days, the real  heroes often go unsung. Rather, they are maligned and criticized for doing what is right or ridiculed for taking a position that is in accordance with God’s clear instructions for man.


Peter and Hazel Bull are two of such modern day heroes.  Unlike many Christians of this generation who run businesses with standards separate and distinct  from their Christian beliefs, the Bulls who are hotel owners  in Bristol in England, established their business policy taking into consideration their Christian faith.

The Bulls were sued for refusing a double bedroom to a gay couple, Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy.  The Bulls recently lost the case. According to the judge, ‘it was clear that homosexuals as a group are disadvantaged by the practice adopted by Peter and Hazel Bull’ (The Guardian)  As a result of the ruling, the Bulls have been asked to pay £1800 each to the gay couple.

The Bulls in their defence  stated  that their policy was not against homosexuals but rather  a refusal to give double rooms to any couple other than heterosexual married couples.  This they did in accordance with their Christian practice.

The courts  however,  have decided that  the law of man superior  to that of God.  Man’s rights now  supercede the instructions of God.  It does not matter how God feels, but it matters how man feels even when what he is doing runs contrary to the will of God.

Israel was under a theocracy up till the time of Samuel.  At a time, the people began to desire a king, not for any other reason but for the fact that other countries around them had kings. They saw the flamboyance and ceremonies and desired to have their own king.  (1 Sam 8:5)

When  Samuel heard this, he was really sad. He knew the implication of such a demand. The people were no longer satisfied with being told what God wanted them to do. They wanted a king who would tell them what  to do. He would be someone they would look up to for courage and direction.

What they did not understand is the cost they would have to pay for having a king rule over them. Even when Samuel told them,  ‘If you have a king, this is how he will treat you. He will force your sons to join his army. Some of them will ride in his chariots, some will serve in the cavalry, and others will run ahead of his own chariot.

Some of them will be officers in charge of a thousand soldiers, and others will be in charge of fifty. Still others will have to farm the king's land and harvest his crops, or make weapons and parts for his chariots.

Your daughters will have to make perfume or do his cooking and baking.

The king will take your best fields, as well as your vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his own officials.

He will also take a tenth of your grain and grapes and give it to his officers and officials.

The king will take your slaves and your best young men and your donkeys and make them do his work.

He will also take a tenth of your sheep and goats. You will become the king's slaves, and you will finally cry out for the LORD to save you from the king you wanted. But the LORD won't answer your prayers.’ (1 Sam 8:11 – 18)

The people would not listen but insisted they wanted a king. They did have a king after all but history is replete with all they suffered under the various kings who ruled over them.

The Bulls are my modern day heroes.  Many may have called them names and ridiculed them but I know that God is smiling at them and the hosts of heaven are applauding them for their heroic act of faith.

Are you ready and willing to be a modern day Christian hero? Are you willing and ready to pay the price? Sooner or later, we all will be required to take a stand and in so doing, we may pay a price, will we be willing or would we rather compromise by elevating man’s will against God’s?

I pray that I will stand so that I can be counted among the Christian heroes of my generation.