The news is full of stories that
remind us of the book of Acts were we read several accounts of individuals
being persecuted for their faith, and ironically it is almost always done in
the name of religion. History has
continued to be full of men and women that have died for their faith, their
unwillingness to compromise their belief in God. Whether it was the Jews of the Old Testament
that wouldn’t bow to the idle of the conquering nations, the martyrs in the
Roman coliseum, to the Chines or Russian believers in atheistic nations that
have turned their back on God, or those that follow the Islamic Shariah laws. Please don’t misunderstand me, I have read
church history and the Christian churches have had their share of bloodshed and
persecution to mandate someone to believe in God. Regardless of who is doing
the persecuting it is wrong, every individual worldwide should have the choice
of accepting or rejecting the Savior Jesus Christ.
I
recently read an article on the net, that to be honest did not shock me! Check
it out @ http://news.yahoo.com/sudanese-woman-sentenced-death-apostasy-123904046.html
For me the question is not if this
could happen within the United States, the question is when? I’m not sure if it
will be Islamic Shariah laws, the Atheistic Agenda to remove Christianity from
American culture like they attempted in China and Russia, or if it will be
anyone of a number of influence that will put Christians on a collision course with
death.
There are simply two options:
- Acknowledge Christ and Savior, and live your life for Christ and be punished and in some cases even die for the faith that lives within you. Knowing that as you kneel before persecutors you will kneel before Christ in Heaven with all his glory around you.
- Recant, and claim that everything you believed and shared about Christ was a lie. Reject the eternity of Heaven, the loving touch of Christ, the compassion of Christ at the Cross, the Victory over death at the empty tomb.
It is sad to say but the
government, the watch groups, the United Nations, or any other organization
around the world that you are trusting in are not going to be able to prevent
the coming judgment or persecution in fact if the truth be known most of these
including your own government and the United Nations could carry out the agenda
of removing the Christian influence and testimony from that vary foundation
that we hold dear.
The famous preacher of one of
America’s first Mega churches (at one time running over 10,000) in America in
the late 1800’s D.L. Moody would say, the thing he feared most was that 50% of
his congregation would split Hell wide open. The reality of today is that I
would have the same fear. The church of
American has NO FEAR of persecution, no reason to defend their faith. However,
the day is coming when REAL Men and Women of Christ will have to stand and
proclaim with a loud voice “I’m a Christian until death”
What do we need to do?
·
Pray for those that are being persecuted. PRAY
for our leadership around the country that they would stand for the faith they
claim they represent. And that Christ will give you the peace and understanding
to share your faith daily, so that others will spend eternity with you in
heaven.
·
As pastors and member of the Body of Christ what
do we need to do? We need to Preach a clear salvation message without comprise,
Teach the Body of Christ to defend and share their faith effectively around the
world, and encourage the Body of Christ to live a life that is a reflection of
what Christ did for them at the day of salvation.