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I’ve heard for 12 years now how many people agree with what I have said. I’ve also wondered for 12 years why those that agree will not stand with me. It’s amazing how we can talk so big when we are not on the frontlines.
One thing about me that many do not know, is I enjoy reading and studying martyrs and others who have taken “xtreme leaps” of faith. To this day I am amazed at the difference in those in other countries and those in our own. For just a little bit, let’s look at the differences.
Let’s look past Columbine (not to say it wasn’t bad, God knows it was a tragedy). Let’s look at the martyrs around the world. In communist Japan there was a 16 year old girl attending an under-ground church. While the service was still underway, soldiers busted into the small room. The leader of the group of soldiers looked at the pastor. “If you lay your Bible down and spit on it, I will let you go”
The pastor, with tears in his eyes, walked over and placed his Bible at the man’s feet. He reluctantly spit on it, stood up and left. One by one the congregation walked over, spit on the Good Book, then left. Finally the 16 year old girl walks over to it. As she knelt in front of the Bible, she looked up. “Father, God, what have they done to Your Book?” was all she prayed. The leader of the troops pulled out his gun, aimed it at her, and pulled the trigger.
There are stories, much like this one, from all over the world. Even today, our brothers and sisters are suffering and dieing, simply because they love God more than their own lives. Still, let’s look at it all from yet another perspective.
In our country, the majority claim to be “Christian.” Recently, I was invited to preach over seas in Pakistan. Now, Pakistan is about 3% Christian by population. How ironic is it, that a nation whose majority is NOT Christian, is willing to bring a minister in to preach the Truth to their nation, and a nation (meaning our nation, the USA) still doesn’t stand to fight for God despite the majority is of the Christian faith? I find it heart breaking, to think about. How much could we learn from our brothers and sisters in other nations?
What if we could all have that kind of faith? How much would we grow, not just as a nation, but as a world…should all believers have such a hunger for the Truth, that nothing will stop them from finding and spreading it? You see, we all have been given a calling in our lives to share the gospel. Despite if you are a preacher, singer, teacher, or just some random person, it is all of our jobs to share Jesus’ love with those around us.
Let’s take it to consideration our brothers and sisters over seas. Here is a land, beautiful land, that only a small fraction is of the Christian faith. They are so hungry for the truth, so on fire to spread the love of Christ, they are willing to bring someone in from foreign soil to help spread the Truth. Now, how about our nation, the USA? I’ve preached the same Truth for 12 years. Over the past few months, my directors and I have begged others to stand with us and help us spread the love of Christ. Still, it seems that nodding and agreeing is much easier than standing and doing. Ironic, how those that have the whole nation against them are willing to fight, and those who should be running their nation aren’t.
It’s not a bash against America, or the church therein. No, it’s simply saying that the time is now! I’m simply saying that it’s time we take it past words, live what we preach. It is time that we stand and take back what is ours, and that is a nation and a world that God gave to us. It’s time that we fight for Christ, after all He died for us. The Christian faith, the Christian walk is so much more than words…it’s a way of life. It’s just life, LIVE IT!
