Sittin' Heavy on My Mind

This particular post isn't going to be so much a warm fuzzy family memory as it is about a conviction or spiritual thought I have.  I don't argue religion or politics.  If I am asked what I believe, I will answer.  However, I will not be drawn into a debate.  I truly believe I can accept the choices of another individual without attacking their beliefs or giving up my own.  It doesn't mean I have to agree with the choices of others.  I can love the person and disagree with their decisions on whatever grounds I choose be it religious, moral or just the way I feel.  My answer to close friends has often been, "We will have to agree to disagree on this."  No amount of debating, arguing or persuading is going to change the mind of the other person.  That being said, I feel it is important to stand for what I believe.  No one has to agree with it.  "This is what I believe.  This is why I feel that way.  I understand what your opinion is and I respect that.  I do NOT have to agree with it."  Plain and simple.

I was recently with a group in a study at church.  I can't quote exactly what was said, but one person was basically saying how we should be able to show our faith and that right is slowly being taken away.  Her example was not being able to display the Ten Commandments in a public place or pray in school.  The response she received from another individual in the group was basically, "So what?  God is bigger than that.  He doesn't need us to stand up for Him.  Christianity has been persecuted before and survived." 

Whoa!  Just about fell out of my chair.  Aren't we called to spread the Gospel?  What about the Great Commission?  Christ didn't die on the cross and then say, "Okay, go back to what you were doing before I came.  People will magically believe in me.  Don't worry about standing up or teaching what I have taught you.  The idea of Me will survive.  Let the other religions rule over you and secretly believe in me in your heart.  When push comes to shove, just say you don't believe and back down." 

Another example given was calling Christmas parties in public schools Holiday parties.  The response was, "What about that poor little Muslim child?"  What about that poor little Muslim child?  What about my poor little Christian child?  Times have changed.  The Ten Commandments do not hang on the walls of our schools and morning prayers have been replaced with a moment of silence.  True, no one can keep us from praying in our hearts, but there is no outward mention of God or praying in Jesus' name.  We have replaced outward signs or voicing of Christianity with a sense of fear that we might offend someone of another religion while at the same time other religions fight for their rights and win.  I've read the Bible.  I know how it ends.  Things must come to pass before the return of Christ, but that does not mean we are to take a back seat and idly watch Christianity be smashed.  Yes, Christians have been persecuted throughout the ages and Christianity has survived.  If there is no longer a single Believer on this Earth, Christianity will still exist, but who will be left to tell others about Christ.  Until the trumpet blows, we are to stand for what we believe and hold fast to our beliefs and convictions.

The days of the Ten Commandments hanging in the hallways are gone and most likely will not return.  Schools teach "about" all religions.  I'm o.k. with that because my children have been taught about other religions at home.  When it comes up in the public forum, my kids know what they have been taught at home.  They have been taught why we believe what we do.  They have been told why we don't believe the way other religions do.  They have also been taught to love and respect those who have a differing opinion.  It doesn't mean they can't stand for what they believe and voice their own opinions.  

I do not believe this is a Christian nation, but it is a nation where we are given the right of Freedom of Religion.  An individual can choose to worship whatever god they choose in whatever fashion or to believe there is no higher power.  If you choose to pray to the toaster, knock yourself out.  I can see you praying to the toaster, hear you speaking the name of the toaster, or watch you sacrificing bread to the toaster.  That doesn't turn me into a follower of the toaster.  Why then can I not publicly speak the name of Jesus or God without others being afraid they might magically be drawn into my religion?  Do you feel my religion is so powerful that speaking the name of the Deity I follow will bring you over to my side?  If my faith is as weak or ridiculous as some claim, why does it bother them so much?

Being a Christian doesn't mean standing on the street corner and yelling about hellfire and damnation.  Although, if that is what someone feels called to do, it is not my job or that of any other high and mighty thinking person to judge. 

While I'm at it, let me state clearly what I believe makes you a Christian...Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the son of God. A part of the Trinity. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. That covering is there for the asking.  Believe, repent, accept.  We choose to accept it or reject it. Plain and simple.

Scripture does tell us that a Christian can be known by the fruits he or she produces, but it is not up to us to say who is or is not a Christian. If you disagree, please show me the scripture that says you or I will stand next to God and judge the hearts of those who stand before Him. To sit in a group of people who are supposedly Christians and listen to someone slam or question or deny the salvation of another denomination BREAKS. MY. HEART. AND. MAKES. ME. ANGRY! Then we turn around and dare to teach those outside of Christianity about God's love. We can't even do it under the umbrella of Christianity.

Lord, have mercy.