11 Let me tell you, my friends, that the gospel I
preach is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any human being, nor
did anyone teach it to me. It was Jesus Christ himself who revealed it to me. 13
You have been told how I used to live when I was devoted to the Jewish religion,
how I persecuted without mercy the church of God and did my best to destroy it.
14 I was ahead of most other Jews of my age in my practice of the Jewish religion,
and was much more devoted to the traditions of our ancestors. 15 But God in his
grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him. And when he decided
16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the
Gentiles, I did not go to anyone for advice, ~ (Galatians 1:11-16, GNT)
Are you aware that citizens’ right here in the United States of America have
been and continue to deny their religious freedom? Sometimes covertly and sometimes,
right out in the open, people and government officials are denying and
disrespecting our Christian beliefs, practices and teachings at every
opportunity. When people threaten others because of a manger scene with baby
Jesus displayed in our own front yard and the Ten Commandments offend people we
know that is just the beginning of far worse things to follow. The cross, the
emblem of freedom to those who believe that Christ is the Messiah, the Son of
God has become so offensive to the non-believers that they want to obliterate
from our society. Yes my friends this is happening right here in the United
States of America, a country founded on Christian principles is slowly turning
into a country that despises Christianity and what they stand for.
If you think we have it bad, lets talk for a
moment about what is happening outside the borders of the United States.
That is why we ourselves boast about you in the
churches of God. We boast about the way you continue to endure and believe
through all the persecutions and sufferings you are experiencing. ~ (2
Thessalonians 1:4, GNT)
Paul before his encounter on the road to Damascus was not the only
persecutor of his day and they still exist in our world. Their goal is to
annihilate the Christian Church, they see those who believe in and follow
Christ as the enemy calling us infidels who merit extermination. As you read
this there are those who have faith in Christ that are being killed, raped,
driven from their homes, starved, enslaved, imprisoned, etc. etc. Their godly existence
is at risk because of ungodly repercussion, the consummate objective of Satan’s
influence is to drive Christ light from man’s sight.
These brothers and sisters in Christ so
fearfully need the prayers and assistance of Christ followers. How is it that we
are able to sit idly by while thousands even millions of fellow Christ
followers are being extinguished, imprisoned, raped or killed for their devotion
to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Where is our humanity for our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ who are being driven from their homes and
countries with nowhere they can call their own? This country was founded religious
freedom! As an accountable and compassionate people, we must condemn these appalling
exploits of mayhem by flaming fanatics. Our uncanny submissiveness only strengthens
the resolve of these hostile fanatics. Although we continue to pray however we should
not hesitate any longer, we must act!
Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept
for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were
persecuted. ~ (Matthew 5:12, GNT)
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