Christians everywhere are trying to determine what is right and what is not. Our government and media as a whole are crying “foul” against Christians who say anything contrary to their agenda.
The pressure is causing many who are weak in faith to succumb to mandates and ideologies that are contrary to scripture. From the beginning, God made us free. In the garden, we were given freedom of choice. Galatians 5 says, “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free.” The entire book of Exodus is about the dramatic deliverance from slavery to freedom. Our own United States Constitution was written so that we, the citizens of this great nation, would know our freedoms and fight for them when necessary as our forefathers did. In our bill of rights, we are told that our very first freedom is that of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Right now, every single one of these is under attack.
How should we as Christians respond? I would answer by saying we should respond exactly as God would expect us to. If you fear God, you are not to fear man. Acts 5:29 says, “We must obey God rather than human authority.”
In the book of Exodus chapter one, we read how the children of Israel increased in number and power. So much so that Pharoah and all Egypt feared them even though they had made Israel their slaves. Pharoah then tells the midwives Shiphrah and Puah that if a girl is born, let her live, but if it is a boy, to kill him. This is what Exodus 1:17 says, “But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, also.”
I am sounding the alarm and battle cry. This is a call to action. The people of God are to stand strong. We have our strategy in Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:13-18 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
We have marching orders as Christians and as citizens. Freedom is Godly and worth fighting for. It’s time to stand and be counted. It’s time to live what we preach. Today I challenge you. Stand for righteousness! Stand for freedom!
Jaime Luce