I will defend my Faith

I wrote this during a debate on Faith in the Public Square (written in 2005):

I was amazed when I saw a bumper sticker on a car in Mississippi last year:

Bashing Christians is the only government approved hate speech in America.

Considering the amount of attacks on Christians since the 1960s, I’m beginning to wonder if that is the case. In light of recent actions, I’m thinking I’m right.

Here is what I mean;The 10 Commandments, the basis for civil law, is now banned from public display.
The City of Los Angeles was forced to remove a small cross from its crest under threat of a lawsuit.
Texas has been ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court to ban prayers at school events.
Politicians have declared that religious people are “unqualified” for public service.
College professors have labeled religious people “retarded.”
The Pledge of Allegiance has been under attack for the phrase “under God.”
A school district in California banned the Declaration of Independence because of the words “divine Providence.”
Many businesses have mandated “sensitivity” training that teaches “tolerance” but shows no tolerance for Christians.
Mainstream Colleges discriminate against students from Christian schools as well as home schooled individuals.
Saying “God Bless You” can now get you sued.
Displays of religious themed pictures are banned in some businesses.
Religious organizations have been banned from school property (in violation of the First Amendment and the Freedom of Religion Restoration Act).
And Heaven help those who mention the “J” word. (Jesus)
All of this in the name of ‘tolerance.”
Christians have been accused of bigotry, racism, homophobia, intolerance and many other things that cannot be printed here.
We (yes, I’m a Christian) have been told that we have to accept lifestyles that are abhorrent to us.
When we express our right to be “tolerated’ we are told that we have no such right.
We are told that we can’t force our “morality” down other people’s throats but must accept the homosexual lifestyle.
If 80% of a states residents vote a law outlawing homosexual marriage can get overruled by a court, what recourse do we have when the government decides its against the law to be a Christian (a West Coast town had decided that Christians, amongst others were “not welcome” in their town).
Christians, as a rule, do not impose their faith on others. We have a command to share the fact that Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of the world.
Our operation instruction is: Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28: 19 & 20
This is the command all Christians operate with. We are commanded to tell folks about Jesus and Salvation. People have the choice weather or not to accept Him.

To understand Christians, one must understand the message. It is very simple. This is called the “Romans Road:”As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

These verses mean that all people are sinners. You see, God is Holy, and He cannot stand sin in his presence. Therefore, we cannot approach God in our present condition.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 5:12

This means that by the act of one man, Adam (don’t blame Eve for all of it, Adam had a hand in it too) sin entered the world and a penalty was established, death.

For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

This codifies the penalty, but there is hope. Now when death is mentioned, there are two deaths. First is the physical, meaning the end of life.
Next is the spiritual, meaning an eternity spent in a place of punishment, called Hell.
Jesus offers a chance to escape the spiritual death.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

This means that we cannot achieve God’s presence by our own strength. Church membership, good works, living a “good” life (remember Romans 3:23) and giving money to the church will not cut it.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

This means that God showed his love for humanity by coming to Earth, assuming Human form, and allowing Himself to be killed in order to redeem Humanity.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10

This means that through the death of Jesus, Humanity can be reconciled to God.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10: 9 & 10

Here is how you can be saved. You must believe that:
1. You are a sinner.
2. You believe that Jesus is God in Human form that died for your sin and was raised from the dead, and
3. Confess your sins and accept Him as your Savior, you will be saved.

For whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

The method is simple, just call on His name.

All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Jesus said that Himself, all who accept Him will be accepted by Him.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1: 8 & 9

We must remember that we are sinners, even when we are saved. We are still Human. We can go to the Father and have our sins forgiven.

If you read this and want to have your sins forgiven, all you need to do is pray this simple prayer:Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. I ask that my sins be forgiven and I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for dying on the cross to save me. In your Name I pray, Amen.

See! It’s that simple!

This is what we believe. We don’t wish to take over the government, as liberals accuse us of. We just want to live our lives according to what we believe.