Is it Time to Take a Stand?
'Are You a Christian?' My Thoughts on the Umpqua Community College Shooting (Exclusive)
<
In America we are on the cusp of religious persecution...especially aimed at those who admit to being Christians. The time has come for those who claim to be Christ-followers to settle once for all the question of their commitment. In recent years it has been difficult if not almost impossible to get "church people" to verbalize their "story" or "testimony" even in the warm confines of the local church. Given opportunities and even being urged by pastors or Sunday School or Small Group leaders to share their "story" many people suddenly get lock-jaw. Often there is an embarrassing silence that descends upon the gathering until the leader fills the emptiness by telling their story or moving on to another topic.
Many Christians have watched in horror the videos of believers in foreign lands being beheaded because of their faith. Increasingly the horror has traveled across oceans and landed right here in America. The latest incident in Oregon was perhaps the most graphic, in your face, attack on faith in general and Christianity in particular. I'm reminded of Paul's admonition to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12 "In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED." (caps by author)
It is no longer a "might be, could be, or possible" scenario. We are at the point of definite physical persecution against Christians on the shores of America. It is time for those who THINK they have faith in God to become ASSURED of their surrender to Him. The evil that is spreading across the landscape can only be stopped by "the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death." (Rev. 12:11)
I heard it said last week that the bravest person in America was the second person who was asked if they were a Christian by the shooter after seeing the first person who responded "yes" to that question being killed.
Ask yourself, professing Christian, are you ready to take a stand?
<
In America we are on the cusp of religious persecution...especially aimed at those who admit to being Christians. The time has come for those who claim to be Christ-followers to settle once for all the question of their commitment. In recent years it has been difficult if not almost impossible to get "church people" to verbalize their "story" or "testimony" even in the warm confines of the local church. Given opportunities and even being urged by pastors or Sunday School or Small Group leaders to share their "story" many people suddenly get lock-jaw. Often there is an embarrassing silence that descends upon the gathering until the leader fills the emptiness by telling their story or moving on to another topic.
Many Christians have watched in horror the videos of believers in foreign lands being beheaded because of their faith. Increasingly the horror has traveled across oceans and landed right here in America. The latest incident in Oregon was perhaps the most graphic, in your face, attack on faith in general and Christianity in particular. I'm reminded of Paul's admonition to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12 "In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED." (caps by author)
It is no longer a "might be, could be, or possible" scenario. We are at the point of definite physical persecution against Christians on the shores of America. It is time for those who THINK they have faith in God to become ASSURED of their surrender to Him. The evil that is spreading across the landscape can only be stopped by "the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death." (Rev. 12:11)
I heard it said last week that the bravest person in America was the second person who was asked if they were a Christian by the shooter after seeing the first person who responded "yes" to that question being killed.
Ask yourself, professing Christian, are you ready to take a stand?
Comments