PERSECUTED FOR FAITH:
Click on the above to read about the Anabaptist Martys who died for their faith.
It's never been popular to be a Christian.
And before I launch into that, let me make a statement:
WESTBORO BAPTIST IS A HATE GROUP. I do NOT belong to a hate group. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and they (Westboro Baptist) are not following the Commandments of Christ. I can say without reservation they are ignoring them. But in America, they have EVERY RIGHT TO.
And before I launch into that, let me make a statement:
WESTBORO BAPTIST IS A HATE GROUP. I do NOT belong to a hate group. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and they (Westboro Baptist) are not following the Commandments of Christ. I can say without reservation they are ignoring them. But in America, they have EVERY RIGHT TO.
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Now, if you think because your gay, that I, as a Christian would hate you, or even JUDGE you, YOU ARE MISTAKEN. I just won't bake you a wedding cake and your just going to have to get over that.
Maybe just as you say Kim Davis should simply resign, you should just whip out the egg-beaters and go to town on your own cake? The most difficult part of irony is that one person doesn't *get it*.
Now I don't pretend to understand or relate to the huge, heaping coals of judgment that some bigoted Christians have dumped on you. I love you as a human. You have the same equal rights as any other human on this planet. I am a sinner, saved by grace and have no business judging you, lest I be judged very harshly by my Father God in heaven. KNOW that I love you, but do not believe that every gay person was born gay. It is my personal belief that I have no idea who is and who isn't born gay, but surely if we can, as humans, be born with BOTH genitalia, and be forced to choose whether to be a man or a woman by society, then surely only GOD knows the finer points of DNA and genetics. Amen?
So save me any blasting about the Gay-Christian struggles on any level and know that my heart goes out to all humanity for all struggles we each face. I am imperfect- and not qualified to point fingers. There, I got that off my chest. Let's move on...
For me, I see the global importance, regardless if your Gay or Straight, Atheist or Christian, to uphold every one's rights, not just the ones we like or that pertain to us. I uphold others beliefs OFTEN. That's not to say I agree... I just believe in Equal Human Treatment. That means- I'm part of that beautiful, complicated, equation.
I have a few friends who do not believe as I do, (and that includes some very far stretches from my belief system), should support me if they see me being persecuted. (The Bible says this will happen).. so heads up my friends.. The book of Revelation is coming into full view for all to see. Christians are being persecuted daily simply for being Christians.. but we know that accepting the calling of Christ, that this WILL HAPPEN.
The Pope on Persecution of Christians
The Pope on GENOCIDE OF CHRISTIANS
And that's just The Pope speaking. I chose those so that it wouldn't be qualified as a fringe group. (No hating on Catholics please)
Here's some of what the BIBLE has to say directly about persecution of believers (of Jesus Christ as Lord):
- Psalms 9:13 Have mercy on me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, you that lift me up from the gates of death:
- Psalms 119:86 All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help you me.
- Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
- Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- John 15:18 If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
- John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
- Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- 1 Corinthians 4:12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
- Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used.
- 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
- 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Christianity is ILLEGAL in many parts of the world. I remember having to explain to my children that the people who die for their religion are called Martyrs, and I know my life might have to end at the hands of someone who hates Jesus Christ. That's some heavy stuff to unload on a kid, but it's important that from the cradle that believing in Jesus won't be easy.
I'm prepared for that moment- the time and place where I may have to be beheaded, or tortured because I WILL NOT DENOUNCE JESUS! This "resolve" is called: CONVICTION. I would also die for my gay brothers in Christ, (not for their gay position, but simply to lay my life down for them out of love and devotion, should it come to it. I'm not looking forward to it, but yeah, I'd take a bullet for most anyone in harms way.
Now, real conviction of which I speak is rarely glamorous. It's not the camera-grabing, media-induced attention that we typically are exposed to. But the media might just grab ahold of something genuine now and then by accident. And that is why I support Kim Davis. She's going by her gut... and I like that. And it's not that I care if Gay's marry in civil ceremonies. I don't. I just love that someone has the heart and courage to draw her line in the sand. It's the stuff that writes history and don't act like you don't either- because you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't. Right? Your pulling for one side or the other.
I think we, as a people need to see what's happening on both sides of an issue, not just the one that suites us.
I'm prepared for that moment- the time and place where I may have to be beheaded, or tortured because I WILL NOT DENOUNCE JESUS! This "resolve" is called: CONVICTION. I would also die for my gay brothers in Christ, (not for their gay position, but simply to lay my life down for them out of love and devotion, should it come to it. I'm not looking forward to it, but yeah, I'd take a bullet for most anyone in harms way.
Now, real conviction of which I speak is rarely glamorous. It's not the camera-grabing, media-induced attention that we typically are exposed to. But the media might just grab ahold of something genuine now and then by accident. And that is why I support Kim Davis. She's going by her gut... and I like that. And it's not that I care if Gay's marry in civil ceremonies. I don't. I just love that someone has the heart and courage to draw her line in the sand. It's the stuff that writes history and don't act like you don't either- because you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't. Right? Your pulling for one side or the other.
I think we, as a people need to see what's happening on both sides of an issue, not just the one that suites us.
Can I tell you something? The church I worship with has a ton of martyrs who died for their faith... who left their homeland in search of a place where they could worship God without fear for their life. They arrived here in the US. Now.. slowly but surely they are in fear of their liberties being eroded. Before long, and probably in my lifetime, I will bet you that churches will have to alter the bible, or throw it out altogether and go completely underground as they all will be considered *bigots*. Christianity will be considered hatred, as it's twisted around and around.
Now, there ARE bigots out there. Make no mistake. Ignore them and PRAY FOR THEM, because that is their ignorant self speaking.
I see a lot of "bending" of the issues on both the Christian side and the Gay side. Kim has now decided she simply wants her name not associated with issued licenses. That was, after she was jailed. I also see Gay's making a witch hunt out of this. Don't tell me the couple from Ohio couldn't get married in any other county? I'm not believing that. And because both Christians and Gays want to be heard, there is a lot of clutter to wade through on social media to get to the heart of this issue and other issues like it. It is truly difficult to understand any facts through the media because they paint the story they way they want it to sell.
Understand why I'm banging on my dishpan here: So that your informed.
There is a hierarchy in my bible... God, Man, Woman, Children..in that order. Nothing will change that. I don't see women preachers in the Bible, but God used women in different roles... I'm not trying to change that. Deacons may only be the husband of one wife. Not challenging it either. But there is a whole process at work trying to water it all down. Wait and see. Either side your on.. wait and see.
Ultimately, Kim Davis will ride off in the sunset at some point. Another clash between believers, and anyone who opposes them, & their perceived rights will crop up again and again. Make particular note of what I just wrote: The clash will continue over and over. Additionally; there will be bigots. There will also be GOOD PEOPLE who are following their convictions REGARDLESS of what the GOVERNMENT has to say about it and paying the cost. Mark those words. John the Revelator sure did!
John the Revelator is considered to be exiled to Patmos, undergoing a time of persecution under the Roman rule of Domitian. Revelation 1:9 states: "I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation... was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Early Traditions and greetings in his letters, suggest that John was banished to Patmos by the Roman authorities. This tradition is credible because banishment was a common punishment used during the Imperial period for a number of offenses. Among such offenses were the practices of magic and astrology. Prophecy was viewed by the Romans as belonging to the same category, whether Pagan, Jewish, or Christian and they didn't discriminate. Prophecy with political implications, like that expressed by John in the book of Revelation, would have been perceived as a threat to Roman political power and order. Three of the islands in the Sporades were places where political offenders were banished. (Pliny Natural History 4.69–70; Tacitus Annals 4.30)
Kids- this isn't anything new.
Just know:I have no problem with the LGBT community setting standards anymore than I have a problem with all of humanity wanting equality. And if I see someone treating you as less than any other human- I will lay down my life for you.
It's just that, well...I personally will not bake you a cake, but I will feed you if your hungry. And if your cold, I'll give you my coat. Sick? I'll try to heal you. I will love you like I love Christ. But don't ask me to compromise. I'll die defending my faith... just like others before me. And at some point- You'll see that the love I had was not my own. It was the love of Christ in me.
So I've pointed out that all people are flawed. No one is making 100% informed choices and most everyone will support the side that best suites their own agenda.
