Opposition to the Christian faith is not new. Jesus was despised for His holy life and for His challenge to the religious status quo. They crucified Him.
Stephen was stoned because he proclaimed the exclusivity of Christ as the Savior (Acts 7:54-60).
Saul lived as a terrorist who intensely pursued the followers of Christ. The Bible describes him as one who shouted “murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (Acts 9:1). As we know, Saul repented of his misguided ways when encountered with the living truth of God, Jesus Himself.
Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for their proclamation of Christ as the hope of lost mankind, as were many others (Acts 16).
Perhaps we should point out that most of this opposition to Christians came from misguided religious people who were caught up in the deceptions of tradition and ritual. They were well-intentioned and claimed to be spiritual, but very wrong – blind pharisees of a sort.
History’s list of enemies of the faith is quite lengthy. Romans fed Christians to the lions, providing cheap entertainment for the public. Communism outlawed Christianity as a threat to their doctrines. Today nations like China and North Korea still persecute believers and even execute them.
In American culture, pharisees and non-believers work hard to oppose those who actually believe the truths of scriptures. Christians are ridiculed, fired, shut-out, and belittled. The humanist proclaims his religion as superior, and injects it into every element of secular life – including government – while shouting the “evils” of allowing Christian influences in government, entertainment, business and education.
We were told to expect this. Paul wrote to this young pastor and friend, Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12-13, NKJ).
North Carolina is engaged in another chapter in this conflict now. It is a chapter which calls for North Carolinians to decide if we want the proven biblical values of marriage to remain our constitutional standard or if we prefer to reject those values.
An overwhelming dose of deception has been fed to the public by those who oppose the marriage amendment. I read an example of the distortions in a local newspaper.
A Boone newspaper reported on April 15 that a retired United Church of Christ minister and vocal opponent of the amendment, was the keynote speaker at a local gathering.
The paper reported, “In opposing the constitutional amendment, [Rev. Marcia] Cham urged county Democrats not to shy away from challenging what she called ‘biblical idolatry.’ She said amendment supporters are exploiting Bible scriptures to defend the amendment the same way opponents of inter-racial marriage did years ago.”
“The only thing they’re looking at is the Bible,” Cham said. “Civil law should not be based on biblical exegesis in a country that separates church and state.”
This astounding statement exposes the thinking behind the non-biblical worldview. This quote gives two incredible statements. One very true; the other clearly false.
The true statement: “Christians are only looking at the Bible.” Christians do not apologize for standing on the Bible as our source of truth, values and practical living. We believe the Bible is exactly as David described it, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105, KJV).
We do not look for a syncretistic mix of secular values with biblical truth. We do not accept the idea that man’s opinions are equal to God’s truth. Humanism and Christianity are neither friends nor partners. It is essential that we take God’s commands seriously and commit ourselves to applying them. David wrote, “You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently” (Psalm 119:4, NKJ). “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34, KJV). No half-hearted, casual embrace of scripture is acceptable.
David was keenly aware of the importance of following every portion of God’s commandments, “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:10-11, NKJ).
The false statement: “Civil law should not be based on biblical exegesis in a country that separates church and state.” Basic American civics shows that the overwhelming majority of American law is extracted directly from Judeo-Christian scriptures. We believe murder, rape, adultery, stealing and lying are wrong. How did we arrive at that conclusion? We got it from the Bible.
To amputate all elements of the Bible from the laws of the United States is to behead our civilization, cutting out the heart and soul of who we are. Where are the secularists trying to take us?
They have accused us of “imposing our beliefs” on the rest of society. The facts show differently. This nation has a democratic process of allowing the people to vote. The majority will make the decision. A minority is not allowed to force their will on the majority if we stick to this process.
Up to this point, citizens of our state have been denied the right to vote on the issue of marriage.
On May 8 the democratic process of voting will be exercised. Your opinion will count only if you vote. Christians must not be silent. Our assignment is to be salt and light. Let us cast our vote for biblical values.
