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
|