Even in the United States of America [founded as a Christian nation], it is not popular to be an authentic and uncompromising biblical Christian that lives out the faith enthusiastically, voting their beliefs, engages in public forums with the Christian world-view, speaking out against that which is evil in the eye of God and calling sin “sin” by God’s definition found in holy Scripture of the living Bible. They used to be here; where did they all go? The people of God can be politically correct, but their politics are in Heaven alone; not Hell. The God-rejecting world system crucifies Christ and Christians in the process, but their battle is truly with God, their Maker who reigns and rules over His creation. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. In John 8:11, Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” The inclusive Gospel message of Salvation and Forgiveness of Sin are loving, merciful and filled with the light of grace, but sin desires no Lord. The darkness of unrepented sin and willful unbelief is exclusive because of its shame and guilt before their just and holy Creator God.
The Lord Jesus explains in John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Many Christians have been martyred for their steadfast faith. Jesus told us in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Martin Luther King Jr. once said that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. We all have burdens that we carry and experienced abuses in the name of Christ, but the labor of godly love is rewarding.
Matthew 5:11-13 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
We cannot be “stony ground” closet Christians. True Christians do not stop assembling for worship, Bible teaching and study, fellowship and outreach, do not deny or abandon their faith, and do not keep silent to godlessness, lawlessness or immorality. United in Christ we stand and with the love of God, prudent wisdom and grace exhibited in speech, Christians season and preserve the culture as salt of the earth for the Kingdom of God. Jesus never called for His disciples to live a comfortable, conforming to culture, Christianity, but as savory light-bearing mission field workers, Ambassadors witnessing truth with a strong outpouring of faith to the world that is ripe for the harvest of souls. Shine your light and bring them to the Lord. Saved people, save people, and disciples used by Jesus with their spiritual gifts make disciples that make disciples preserving the church as God intended it to be. Brothers and sisters in Christ are called to fight the “good fight”, externally as well as internally. You cannot do that by denying the faith or abandoning the church when things are not going well. God is the answer, not the problem.
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on "Closet Christians" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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