NOT ASHAMED

Not Ashamed

3/31/2011



“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. There’s coming a period of time when professing Christians will either stand firm on their faith in Jesus Christ, or they will renounce Him in their attempt to stay free of any persecution. Undoubtedly, some of the future Christian persecution will lead to death.



I know what you are saying, “Not in America”. Well let’s take a moment to consider a hypothetical situation. The following scenario is fiction, or is it?



The Supreme Court of the United States confirms that Christian beliefs are harmful to children.



“A landmark judgment, handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States, declares that Christians with traditional views on sexual ethics are unsuitable as parents, and that homosexual ‘rights’ trump freedom of conscience in America. These Judges stated that Christian beliefs on sexual ethics may be ‘detrimental’ to children, and they implicitly upheld an Equalities and Human Rights Commission submission that children risk being ‘infected’ by their Christian parent’s moral beliefs.



The Supreme Court’s judgment strongly affirms homosexual rights over freedom of conscience and leaves all Christians unable to raise their children as desired, despite a proven track record as loving, caring, parents as well as being good providers. The summary contained in the judgment sends out the clear message that Christian ethical beliefs are potentially harmful to children. It states that Christian parents with mainstream Christian views are not suitable to be considered as potential parents since this does not agree with diversity and equality policies.”



There now appears to be nothing to stop the increasing ban on Christians who wish to pursue their God given rights to become parents as most are not willing to compromise their beliefs. Since the Supreme Court has basically denounced Christianity, what will become of those “in name only” Christians? Will they continue as professing Christians, or will they denounce Christ so that they may be allowed to continue in childbearing as well as living a non-persecuted life?



Fiction or non-fiction the question must be asked: “Will Christianity become so inconsequential that no further rulings will be necessary because of the diminished state of the church?” To further dramatize the above fiction/non-fiction scenario let’s bring the matter of Christianity before a future US Congress.



“The US House of Representatives, as well as the US Senate, after reviewing the political correctness of the Judiciary branch of government, and as an independent and august body, find that the establishment of new anti-Christian laws must be forthcoming. The US Congress has now given President Obama, in his second term as president, far reaching powers to contend with the growing threat of Christianity.



A new presidential dictatorial edict (from one who rejects the constitution) declares that all Christians attempting to worship openly and/or in the privacy of their very own homes are now subject to search and seizure of property which may result in their arrest. There will be no need for a trial as all those who are caught transgressing the president’s new edict will be imprisoned immediately and indefinitely.”



Do these hypothetical scenarios showing America’s possible future give any of you reason to pause and review the scriptures to see if there is any reference to such situations? You can imagine how any dissention during this future period will be severely dealt with. Before we head off to the Bible to get God’s perspective, let me just say that the above scenario is not fully fiction. The High Court in England basically has concluded that Christian ethics are harmful to children; I substituted the US Supreme Court for the High Court of England to dramatize how this very real situation could occur here in the US. The scenario with the US Congress was purely hypothetical.



There’s obviously a push on in England to establish a firm precedence for discriminating against Christians. Will it be long before the US follows suit?



On a slightly different note, according to an article I read recently Switzerland is becoming a nation devoted to the Muslim religion of Islam. But that’s not near as scary as the fact that they have passed a ‘racial discrimination’ law which establishes fines and incarceration for anyone convicted of criticizing the religion of Islam. President Obama has gone on record wanting these same ‘hate laws’ established by the US Congress making any criticism of Islam a crime, yet you may criticize Christianity with all impunity. This from a man who professes to be Christian yet places the religion of Islam over Christianity. Obama born again? Doughtful.



It’s time to venture into the Word of God “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. The Greek word “pas” which is translated into English as “all” means: each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything. Paul says every single Christian living a godly life will suffer persecution. I know there are plenty of Bible teachers around that will dispute this because the kind of persecution Paul is speaking about can’t happen in a free society. Well then, let’s see if we can find another witness. Oh, here’s another verse that seems appropriate at this juncture. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.” Matthew 24:9. There’s that pesky Greek word “pas” again, this time referring to “all” nations. All nations will be involved in the hatred and persecution of those who live a godly life in Christ. And of course that would include the good ol’ US of A.



So the question remains, who will stand firm in the face of what most certainly is on the horizon – intense worldwide Christian persecution? If you search the history archives available to almost everyone you’ll find that millions upon millions of Christians have been martyred over the centuries. The Catholic church is far from the least of these persecutors. During the 11th through the 16th centuries AD we find a period of time referred to as the Dark Ages. During this time period no less than 50 million devout Christians who would not dance to the Catholic church’s tune were horribly murdered, most were burned at the stake.



Will millions more Christians be martyred prior to Christ’s return? Possibly. As many of us know there are always going to be those who will bow the knee to Baal instead of standing firm on their faith in Christ. Those who fall into that category will then be referred to as Christ rejecters, and yes they will all probably live to see another day. But those who deny Christ before men will notice they’ve a new problem when they ultimately stand before God. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33. Certainly something to think about.



What the gist of this commentary boils down to is this, are you ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Does the mention of Jesus Christ while you’re out in public embarrass you? Have you given any thought to the very real question “What if, here in America, we lose our inalienable rights?” The Constitution of the United States of America is currently being trampled upon with a shear lack of regard and which, quite frankly, is astonishing. Currently, in all areas of our federal government there is little evidence of sincere efforts at re-establishing that once revered document (The Constitution) to its previously held place of prominence.



And what will the elimination of the Constitution mean to the professing godly Christian? I must take a little artistic license with a quote from one of my favorite movies “You got trouble folks, right here in River City, that starts with a T and that rhymes with P and that stands for persecution, yes you’ve got trouble folks”. For all those born again believers in Christ living a godly life, persecution is not far away.



“For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.” Psalm 94:14. The list of those who stood up for Christ and then died a horrible death is long. The Apostles were all, with the exception of John, put through the most excruciating of tortures before death. In the first three centuries AD Christians were fed to wild animals, dipped in pitch and impaled on poles then lit on fire like candles for lighting up the night, as a matter-of-fact there has never been a time since Jesus’ ascension when Christians weren’t horribly martyred. Why would any Christian living the godly life in Christ today feel immune to the coming persecution?



“But what can those living godly in Christ do Ron?” We’ve already done it. We’ve placed our faith, trust, and hope in Jesus Christ, and Him alone for salvation. Nothing of this world can touch us. We can’t be harmed. We are indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God. Malevolent supernatural forces have no power over us as we claim the power of Jesus Christ over our lives. So edify one another with these words. Remember these bodies are only vessels holding our true self and God has complete dominion over us.



Our time has come. As we continually stand firm upon our faith in Christ we prove to a Christ rejecting world that God reigns. His power and His glory will be seen through each of His obedient children. And through our obedience Jesus the Christ will be exalted.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

96 County Road 5480 Salem, MO 65560

All scripture is from the KJV and God breathed