Monday, November 8, 2010

Proclaim Jesus As Lord

"And you will know that I am the LORD, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you." -- Ezekiel 11:12

We all want to get along with other people. We don't want to step on anyone's toes, either literally or figuratively. We try to be careful to include everyone, carefully choosing our words so that we don't offend anyone. It all sounds so, well, christian.

Except that while we are trying to be careful to get along with those around us, we are stepping all over God and our own beliefs. Sure, we want to be kind and good to others. But that doesn't mean we should compromise our beliefs to the point that we basically deny Jesus by refusing to live out in the open as His followers.

I know. Some of you are getting defensive about now. Just answer a few questions before you tune me out. How many times have you refused to use Jesus' name in prayer because people of other faiths were present? How many times have you ate a meal with someone who either isn't a christian or doesn't live his faith and didn't openly thank God for His provisions? How many times have you excused school classes that teach other religions while only touching on christianity? And how many times have you remained silent rather than speak loudly when others trample on God's Word?

We are God's people but so many times we don't act like it. We're just too busy conforming to the world around us. We want to fit in. We want to be like everyone else. We go through the motions of faith but we're not behaving as though Jesus lives within us. In fact, we are denying Him time and time again. Sadly, some of the biggest offenders are those who see themselves as defenders of the faith.

Many people consider me to be a liberal. In some ways, I guess I am. But when it comes to God, I'm as hard-nosed as they come. It's not okay to talk badly about Him. It's not okay to pretend that He's only one of many gods. It's not okay to view Jesus as merely a good man who once lived. And it's not okay to lift other religions up while letting Satan beat christianity down.

Jesus died for us. Does everyone get that? He was sinless yet He died a cruel and merciless death on the cross so He could take my sins and yours on Himself and reconcile us to God. There are many good people on this earth. I don't know any of them that would have done that for people they don't even know. Just think about the love He felt and continues to feel for us.

Jesus defeated death. He rose three days after His death and was seen by many, many people. He ascended to heaven and waits for us there. Us. Believers. Those He loved enough to die for. How it must hurt Him to hear us carefully avoid mention of Him as we navigate the political correctness of our world.

God warned His people not to copy the customs and religious practices of other lands and other peoples. He told us what happens when we disobey and, yet, we do it anyway. It's so tempting to just keep our mouths shut and get along with everyone. It's more difficult to stand up and face the criticism as we proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. But how can we do anything else? Any sacrifice we make falls far short of what He has already done for us.