#Stand yes #Standup Christians

I could write tonight about certain events, about horrific events carried out by terrorists.

#Stand Christians #Standup for the oppressed

 We could focus on the horrific acts but I won't.  Many media sites have that info, you really don't need to look very hard.  Instead I want to talk about what we are going to do about it?

The issue:

People are being mistreated, tortured and killed by those who would see all who refuse to follow their false religion suffer and die.  This is not a small isolated thing in our world today but a rampant problem across many nations and it affects us all.  These violent, evil, murderers, are making the news daily for their disgusting ways.  They often do not care if they live or die as long as they kill others that do not follow their exact way.  The issue is larger than any one person or nation.

What can we do?

We, being Christians, can do something.  We can be those who take a stand.  We can be those who stand up for others who are at risk.  I am not suggesting that we need to "defend" ourselves, though depending on where you live and your situation that may be your right and privilege.  Instead I am suggesting we protect others.  You see, Christians know the Truth and know where they will be after this life.  That should cause two things to happen in us.  The first is a security and boldness that the worst thing they can do to me is take my life and that just places me with the Lord Jesus.  So we should be those who, though we may have human based fears, we stand even in fear because our security in Jesus is far greater than anything that can be done to our bodies. The second is the hard reality that many of those being persecuted are NOT Christians and therefore when they are slaughtered for being the wrong kind of Muslim or being Buddhist or Atheist or whatever they are, they are dying because they do not subscribe to the false religion that the terrorists enforce.  These people are dying and going to Hell, without any hope.  If we want to see people saved, then we need to stand up for them.  

So the concept is like this.  I am ready, I know the Lord Jesus, my sins are forgiven, many others are not in that place and at risk..  If I can keep them from being slaughtered today then they have another day to hear about the Hope and Forgiveness we find in Jesus.  If I die in the process then so be it.  In the end God will deal with these evil people and I hope and pray that the Governments, military and police do as well. 

So I am not putting out a general call to arms, though that may be necessary in some situations, I think we need to start in other ways.  So I will list some below.

1. Pray for the "hot spots" these areas that have so much of this type of violence going on.  Pray for the people there.  As you hear of other attacks, pray for the people in those places.  Remember to pray for those who are left to bury their dead family and friends, if any are left to mourn, then mourn with them.
2. Show your outrage at what is happening, do not take our "rage" on anyone and certainly keep your focus on those who are the real Terrorists.  Make your voice heard, in your community, social media, write your government, etc...
3. Lobby your government to make a law that makes affiliation with a terrorist group a crime in the highest order.  Whether it can be a capital punishment crime or maybe worthy of deporting those convicted or life imprisonment with no chance for parole.  But harsh penalty for being a part of these groups, not just being the actual "trigger man" but any affiliation.
4. If you know someone that is Muslim then make sure they know that you are not angry with all Muslims.  Instead make sure they know that as a part of your Faith, you believe it is important to stand up for the oppressed and against the oppressors, no matter what those at risk believe.  We do not need to agree with one another to show Love.
5. If you happen to be present when a terror attack begins to happen, then stand up and do what you can to stop it, to protect others.  You do not need to be a super hero, you will probably die trying to save others but you may give at least some people the time they need to get away.

Do not stop with this.  Christians need to stand against all forms of injustice.  We need to stand against racism, rape culture, trafficking of people, all forms of abuse & oppression, just to name a few.  Share articles like this one.  Post on Social media and use #Stand and #Standup.  Talk about important issues like these, not just as passing news but discuss ideas on how you might be able to stand together with your family and friends.

If we who know the Truth, the Hope of the Gospel of Jesus, sit back and do nothing then we are guilty as passive accessories to the crime.  This means that if we refuse to act then we are silently approving by our inaction.  I do not believe that Jesus would want us to hide in a corner while such horrors are committed.  

So each of you must decide but I cannot in good conscience do nothing.

Preacherman

  

Reminder for 2015

Men, I wanted to start the year off with what is most important.  

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. (1 Corinthians 15:1-11 ESV)

As Paul reminded the Corinthians about the Gospel, so I now want to remind you.  The Gospel message of Jesus, God the Son, fully God yet fully human, lived a sinless life, willingly suffered and died to pay the price for our sinfulness and then He rose from the grave proving His power and authority.  Recognize that you have sinned and that it is sin that kills us and eternally separates us from God the Creator.  Ask God to forgive your sin and receive that forgiveness in the name of Jesus.  Doing so will make you clean and new because not only will you be forgiven but you will also receive the righteousness of Christ.  You will live in relationship with your new Lord, Jesus.  Your life will be centered on Him and His Word (the Bible).  Everything you do, all of who you are should be affected by the Gospel and transformed by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit who resides in you.

Has Jesus shown you love?  Grace?  Forgiveness?  YES!  So remember to show such attributes to others.  This should change how you work, treat your wife, raise your children, interact with your neighbours, lead in your community, worship in Church and everything else about you.

If you want to hear more about the Gospel reminder you can check out the reminder sermon I gave to the brothers and sisters at FFBC in Brandon.  http://youtu.be/flvDApBC1nU

Let's get focused on the Gospel for 2015.

Preacherman