PastorsStudy.gif (3130 bytes)

Monthly commentaries and pastoral letters regarding issues of the day.

bible.gif (3865 bytes)Welcome to The Pastor's Study. Here you will find our monthly pastoral letters containing observations and teachings regarding not only doctrinal issues but also  social and philosophical issues of importance to Biblical Christians in today's rapidly changing world. We will be posting a new letter each month and will be offering the past messages in the archives linked below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts on these issues also. Your input is important.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Tuesday, October 05, 1999

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I was listening to Dr. James Dobson speaking this morning about the morally disastrous legislation that was just signed into law in California (visit http://family.org for more information). It struck me just how futile the battle over morality seems in today's world. No matter how hard we work in the social/political arenas and no matter who's in office, the tide seems to go against any that strive to uphold Biblical morality. At times it even defies all logic. The world truly believes that "Right is Wrong" and Wrong is Right" and sees us (Biblical Christians) as the greatest evil in the world today. One of my liberal friends (yes I have liberal friends and you should too) told me the other day that he believed that the "Religious Right" (that's us folks) was very possibly the true Antichrist. Think about that. Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, are considered pure evil and the Antichrist? Obviously, he doesn't have a clue regarding the reality of Antichrist, and we who have read the Bible and possess God's Spirit can see the absurdity in that statement. The sad truth is that much of the world believes it. Ironically today, Bible believing Christians are the most hated people group in the world. Again, "Good is Evil" and "Evil is Good."

As frustrating as this is to Bible believing Christians, those of us that believe we are truly at the "beginning of the end" should not be surprised that things are as God's Word says they will be. In truth, believers should view current events in the hope of our glorious Lord Jesus' eminent return. In the meantime, we most certainly must not use our frustration, or fear, as an excuse to keep silent and hide in our Churches. Yes, we will be ostracized, even persecuted, and some will be martyred (more so as the end draws closer), but we must still speak the word of truth and not allow our voices to be silenced by those that are ignorant of Christ and that truth.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:13, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men". He also tells us in verse 15; "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."

We are not called to win the war (Jesus already did that), but we are called to be faithful in letting His light shine through us on a lost and dying world. We cannot do that by allowing the world to intimidate us into hiding our light under the "bushel" of our churches. We must speak up while there is still time. The voice of truth must be heard in the arenas of politics, on current social issues, in our schools and families, and yes, even in our churches. The time is coming quickly when we will only do so at the risk of our lives, as so many of our brothers and sisters now do in the Islamic and pagan countries of the world. In the words of the old hymn; "Work, while the night is dark'ning, When man's work is o'er".

In closing, I want to remind you that while Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15, "...in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..." He then adds, "...But do this with gentleness and respect".

Remember, you speak for our Lord Jesus Christ; speak in love so that the world's accusations against you are without foundation. Peter calls us to "[keep]a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Above all, don't forget the most important part of the battle: prayer. The only true hope for our societies/countries is found in the reality of 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Until next month, keep on lifting up the Name of Jesus!

God Bless you and yours

Signiture.gif (1656 bytes)



Access Archives

Find True Peace Now
Find True Peace Today
Email Pastor Dick

This letter may be reproduced without charge and in its entirety for non-commercial and non-political purposes without prior permission from ChristRing Ministries. Copyright © 1999 ChristRing Ministries, All Rights Reserved.


"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8 )