Stand Up!
I am not really political. I seldom discuss politics, partly because if I got into a real political discussion my ignorance would show immediately and frequently. My daughter got all of the political genes. She used to go to her grandparents' home next door and discuss politics with them for hours. Apparently they had some pretty lively discussions. It is one of many things she misses about her Papa. Consequently, this election year is a highlight of her existence. Not me. I'm somewhat annoyed, bored with the ads, and ready for it to be over.
That being said, I can't downplay the importance of politics, especially for Christians. We have a responsibility to vote for candidates who have positions in line with our beliefs. In America, it hasn't seemed all that important before, because most candidates espoused Christian beliefs, even when their personal lives did not necessarily back up their claims. But our country, and the world in general, are much different than they used to be.
Worldwide, it is becomming more and more politically dangerous for Christians. I was amazed when I began really searching information about this. Of course I had heard about the increasing persecution of Christians in the world, but I had NO IDEA!!!!! I found so much information that I could have written a very long research paper with a huge number of references! I discovered that Christianity is the " most brutally persecuted religion" existing. That half of the Christians who have ever died for their faith did so during the 20th century, and so far in the 21st century it looks as though that record will be beaten. There were 35 million Christian martyrs between 1900 and 2000. 35 MILLION!
Most recently, a minister by the name of Yousef Nadarkhani has made news because of his plight. He was arrested in Iran in 2009 for questioning the Islamic education of his children and sttempting to register his home-based Christian church. He was tried and sentenced to death in 2010. Finally, after 3 years in prisons and a 6 hour hearing in February 2012, he was released.
Persecution of Christians is becomming very evident in the United States as well.
All we have to do is look to statements and actions of actors to learn the culture's take on us. There have been numerous communities forced to take down nativity displays or posting of The 10 Commandments in public places. And all of us witnessed the persecution of Chick-Fil-A founder Dan Cathy when he was trapped into answering a question on his stance regarding gay marriage.
In 2011 a court approved San Diego State University's policy of denying a Christian sorority and fraternity official campus benefits because the groups restricted membership to Christians only. And a teacher named Jerry Buell in Florida was suspended and investigated because he stated his beliefs on homosexual marriage on his personal Facebook page. Free speech?
Jesus told us we'd have these problems. In John 15:20 , He tells us that if "they" persecuted Him they would persecute us. In 2Timothy 3:12, He says that EVERYONE who desires to live a godly life will be persecuted. In Matthew 24, Jesus was asked about the end times. Among other things, He tells us we will be persecuted, put to death, and hated by all nations. Whew!!!
So it really does matter that we stay informed.....do what we can by voting and praying......and stand up and be counted when we need to. Loyalty to our fellow Christ- followers both in the US and around the world demands more than passivity. Our Lord does too. Will you stand up and be counted no matter what the cost?
That being said, I can't downplay the importance of politics, especially for Christians. We have a responsibility to vote for candidates who have positions in line with our beliefs. In America, it hasn't seemed all that important before, because most candidates espoused Christian beliefs, even when their personal lives did not necessarily back up their claims. But our country, and the world in general, are much different than they used to be.
Worldwide, it is becomming more and more politically dangerous for Christians. I was amazed when I began really searching information about this. Of course I had heard about the increasing persecution of Christians in the world, but I had NO IDEA!!!!! I found so much information that I could have written a very long research paper with a huge number of references! I discovered that Christianity is the " most brutally persecuted religion" existing. That half of the Christians who have ever died for their faith did so during the 20th century, and so far in the 21st century it looks as though that record will be beaten. There were 35 million Christian martyrs between 1900 and 2000. 35 MILLION!
Most recently, a minister by the name of Yousef Nadarkhani has made news because of his plight. He was arrested in Iran in 2009 for questioning the Islamic education of his children and sttempting to register his home-based Christian church. He was tried and sentenced to death in 2010. Finally, after 3 years in prisons and a 6 hour hearing in February 2012, he was released.
Persecution of Christians is becomming very evident in the United States as well.
All we have to do is look to statements and actions of actors to learn the culture's take on us. There have been numerous communities forced to take down nativity displays or posting of The 10 Commandments in public places. And all of us witnessed the persecution of Chick-Fil-A founder Dan Cathy when he was trapped into answering a question on his stance regarding gay marriage.
In 2011 a court approved San Diego State University's policy of denying a Christian sorority and fraternity official campus benefits because the groups restricted membership to Christians only. And a teacher named Jerry Buell in Florida was suspended and investigated because he stated his beliefs on homosexual marriage on his personal Facebook page. Free speech?
Jesus told us we'd have these problems. In John 15:20 , He tells us that if "they" persecuted Him they would persecute us. In 2Timothy 3:12, He says that EVERYONE who desires to live a godly life will be persecuted. In Matthew 24, Jesus was asked about the end times. Among other things, He tells us we will be persecuted, put to death, and hated by all nations. Whew!!!
So it really does matter that we stay informed.....do what we can by voting and praying......and stand up and be counted when we need to. Loyalty to our fellow Christ- followers both in the US and around the world demands more than passivity. Our Lord does too. Will you stand up and be counted no matter what the cost?
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