BY RON BARTANEN ─ The apostle Paul spoke of those “whose glory is in their shame” (Philippians 3:19). Such, as Paul taught, are justly condemned.
This verse comes to my mind with reference to ISIS, a radical army seeking to bring the world under Islamic Sharia law through the process of terrorism, torturing, beheading, crucifying and burning alive those who will not confess faith in Allah. They do this without remorse or shame, and, in fact, glorying in their shame, using modern technology to broadcast it visually to the world.
One among many such incidents involved three young boys in a vehicle, who were stopped, and the question to them was, “Are you a Christian?” They said, “Yes,” and were then dragged from their vehicle and beheaded. They were then put on display to tell the world what happens to “unbelievers.”
Thankfully, there are still those in our perverted world who fearlessly confess their faith in Christ even if it results in dying for their faith. Of course with televisions, computers and cell phones we can now witness things far removed geographically.
This isn’t happening here, we remind ourselves. At least not yet! While at the present time providentially we are not being called upon to die for our faith, we are still called upon to live for our faith.
And I believe it is safe to say that if we are not willing to live for our faith now, when circumstances change we will be found unwilling to die for our faith.
When a nation forsakes its godly principles, we can expect that nation to reap what it sows, and the harvest is frightful. Unless, as Christians, we are willing to stand up for what is right, and to share God’s message of salvation with those around us, we, as Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22) can surely hear Christ’s word to us: “I will spew thee out of my mouth.” And “if judgment begins at the house of God…what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).
As Christians, we are called to be a light in a world of darkness, reflecting the light of Christ. If our light is snuffed out, “how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23).
Ron has lived and proclaimed his faith for many years. He lives in Florida and publishes an ezine, “The Sower.”
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