Silencing the True ChristianFirst, what is a “true” Christian? I use that term because there are so many today who want to call themselves Christians but don’t come anywhere close to lining up with the Bible’s definition of such. A Christian is one who has accepted Christ as his or her Saviour. As a Christian, you rely on nothing else for your Salvation. You don’t rely on your church membership, your water baptism, your being born into a certain family or church, etc. You rely solely and exclusively on your relationship with Jesus Christ. And then, because of that relationship, you forsake all other methods and means of salvation and sanctification, because there really are no others. It is Christ and Him crucified and nothing else!

Just last Sunday morning I preached a message from Ezekiel 3: 17-21, about how the God-called preacher is to stand firm and warn the people of impending danger. It’s not a popular job in which the praises and accolades of the people are constantly heaped upon you, but that’s okay, because the God-called preacher of the Gospel works for God, not man!

When the preacher warns, he is met with much scorn and hostililty, sometimes from within his own “ranks”. And when that opposition comes from within the so-called Church, it hurts worse and does more damage usually than that which comes from the world.

No subject is off limits for the true preacher, because our relationship with Christ is to affect every aspect of our lives. And that includes politics. People get very offended if a preacher says anything that can be considered political. Personally, I have little interest in politics, but I have made many comments from the pulpit in the last year about the possible candidates for the U. S. Presidency. Why? Because Christians should be the most informed people and they must vote according to God’s will, not their own. I have not supported and will not support any particular candidate. Actually, there are none that I agree with enough to do that, though I will vote as God leads. Howvever, I have pointed out the issues with each candidate that do not line up with the Bible. And then people can take that and do with it whatever they see fit. It is my hope that would pray about it and search the Scriptures for themselves.

It is my job to warn the people about electing someone to the office of President who I believe is going to continue to take this nation in a wrong direction. For example, anyone who supports abortion is going to continue this nation down a wrong path. Anyone who supports homosexuality will do the same. Likewise anyone who is a globalist, anyone who won’t take a stand for Bible truth, anyone who supports the notion of a North American Union, anyone who thinks all religion is good and is of God, anyone who bows to the Vatican, etc., etc., will take us down a wrong path.

Recently a preacher in a nearby town (Pastor Roger Byrd of the Jonesville Church of God) came under fire for his church sign that questions whether Barak Obama may be a Muslim. Most disheartening has been comments by “Christians” on the Internet, saying that this man has no right to question this. Yes, friends, he not only has a right, but he has an obligation!! 

So the thrust to silence true Christians is alive and well in our American society today. But if you are one of the few who will stand, by all means, stand. There is much at stake, mainly, the salvation of souls. God loves even the ones who oppose His Word the strongest, and He wants to save them. But I must tell them the truth for them to have the opportunity to be saved, even if it hurts. They will die and go to hell without Christ. That’s not poplular, even from behind most pulpits today (thanks to people like Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, and other seeker-sensitive gurus) but it is still the truth. And though it makes me no new friends, and gets me laughed at, as I said before, I work for God, not man.

What about you?

Scott Corbin, Pastor

 

This post is by my dear friend and fellow minister; Pastor Scott Corbin of Truth Chapel World Evangelism Fellowship Church in Spartanburg, SC