I am convicted in my faith. And I, like Jesus and His followers, will be convicted (judged and persecuted) because of my faith. Sadly enough I will even be convicted and judged by other believers because of the faith which allows me to “be silent no more.”
If you, like me, find yourself feeling saddened by our nations seemingly Godless views, discouraged by today’s political division, and with a sense of powerless to protect basic human rights then I would encourage you to go see the movie “God’s NOT Dead 2.”
The knowledge alone that
a movie with this title is in the theatre gives me hope, and reminds me that I
must constantly champion the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion and
find a voice in today’s all too secular society for God. The movie proves God’s
existence using means other than the Bible and promotes and gives courage to
Christians that there is strength in prayer and in the support of a community.
As Christians we must not
be silent – we must be convicted in, even persecuted by, and for our faith in God.
“The high priest
questioned them, “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in
that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring
this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must
obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had
him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as
leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are
witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those
who obey him.” …..So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that
they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. Acts 5: 27-41
There
are days when I, like Jesus and the main character in God’s NOT dead, Grace Wesley,
pray: “God, please don’t forsake me.” There are moments when I hear the truth
of the teachings of the Catholic Church challenged and I find myself with the
faith to rejoice because I am “suffering dishonor for the sake of the name.” And
there are times when I am challenged by some of my closest Christian friends
who are either complacent, “stuck” or in denial of the power of Jesus; who
believe that standing up for life, marriage, prayer or even the sanctity of
Sunday worship time must be politically correct, non judgmental, and is a
“freedom of choice.”
But,
thankfully, God constantly allows me an awareness that He is in charge. I see
the Spirit opening hearts and minds that are willing to take on the challenges
of growing deeper in faith, answering His call and saying Yes to His will. I
see religious leaders who are reaching out to each other, finding common ground
and speaking common truths. And I rejoice when I hear those who openly witness
to their faith and ultimately seek to return to the fullness of the Church.
My faith
is a relationship with Jesus that gives me the courage to say: “I believe in
the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and
the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has
spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic
Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to
the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.” Nicene
Creed, 4th Century Statement of Belief
And the more I learn and
the more as I study, the more convicted I become and unfortunately, just like
Christian followers before me, the more dishonored by human judgment I will
become. And in those times I will rejoice because I have been chosen to suffer
for the sake of His name.
“Finally, draw your
strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that
you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our
struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the
powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits
in the heavens. Therefore, put
on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having
done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast
with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet
shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all
circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of
the evil one. And take the
helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6: 10-17Am I convicted enough that I am willing to be convicted? Will I stand up for my faith? Can I defend what I believe against the tactics of the devil, even in a court of law?
Lord, I call on your name because I am weak. But because I am
weak, I know it is in your power that I will become strong. Give me the courage
to stand up and say I am Your follower forever. Give me the strength to stand
up and say YOU are the Truth. Give me Hope so that I will “not be afraid.” Dear
God, make me strong, make me yours, help me to do Your will, in Your name.
Amen.
Is my faith in God’s protection, in God’s power, in His
truth, enough to shout to the world: “God’s Not Dead –because His Church
is Alive?”
Will my choices be done
because of faith in the power of His Way, His Truth and His Life?
May you receive the grace
and peace of living in the conviction of Jesus’ hope and help, Blessings,
Charlotte
