Exposing Darkness

John 15:18-20 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

I did not think things would happen so fast. I honestly though that our new administration would govern from the middle, and be more Clintonesque in their approach. I heard from some Christian brothers and sisters who said that they foresaw a persecution coming, and inside I thought, “No way”. However evidence has been to the contrary. In the last month I have seen a concerted effort to demonize, silence and persecute any opposition or difference of opinion to the current governing body. We just went through 8 years of virulent opposition and hostility to the Bush administration.  As bad as it was, it is permitted under our First Amendment Right of Free Speech.

But  those who were so vocal in criticizing the Bush administration will certainly not tolerate criticism or any other view point other than their own. And in their view anyone who does not agree with the current administration or the liberal progressive world view is a bad guy and needs to be stamped out. 3 examples of this-

1) HR 1913 was passed in Congress 249-175, and is goign to the Senate today. This bill would criminalize critical speech of the homosexual lifestyle. Therefore Christians who have a religious conviction that homosexuality is a sin, and vocalize their view can be potentiality accused of a hate crime.

2) This week the Department of Homeland Security again classified pro-lifers as domestic terrorists. The DHS was created by the Bush administration for the express purpose of helping to protect the country from Muslim extremists after the events of 911. But since the Obama administration has taken over, they have released one report and a dictionary classifying (pro-lifers, right wingers, people who believe in a limited government, veterans, Jews,) as potential threats as domestic terrorist groups.  Don’t believe me? read the recent lexicon released by DHS  http://video1.washingtontimes.com/video/lexicon.pdf-

That means I must be a terrorist because I am pro-life. That must mean most Christians are terrorists because we are pro-life.

3) Blacklists. back in the 50’s the liberals were up in arms when McCarthy suggested blacklisting communists in Hollywood and across the country. The funny thing was, that some of the people he had blacklisted were communist spies and did gather intelligence from our government that was useful tot he Soviet Union. But now these same liberals are ready to launch the same censorship they condemned against their political opponents.

This week , radio talk show host- Michael Savage, was banned by the UK from ever entering the country. He was added to balcklist that includes neo-nazis, Russian gangs and other violent terrorists. According to UK Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith – she decided to publish the list to show what type of behaviour the government will not tolerate. Funny thing is, the UK doesn’t air the Savage show. How could she hear it? No one can hear it in the UK. I suspect advocates of the the Fairness Doctrine here in American  tipped her off.

Savage may be opinionated and may be crass in his ways. But, hey so was Al Franken and he is now a Senator? The reality- Savage is conservative. He is pro-life, he believes marriage is between a man and woman, he believes in the right to bear arms and he believes in Christian Judeo values.He must be a terrorist right?

Interesting thing- in the DHS’s lexicon and the UK’s ban, no Muslim extremists were on those lists. I guess they are the good guys? Is. 5:2 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness”

What can I say? Persecution is coming. These are indicators of what is to come. You better be ready. This is certainly not he time to cower and be afraid. We must continue to be who we are and not compromise our beliefs. Even when the government threatens us and makes it difficult to be Christians.

Remember our brothers in Rome, and those who have suffered for Christ through the age. Be courageous and be ready. God bless.