What Troubled Times We Live In

[GraftMeIn]

2 Timothy 3:16 
 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

I have noticed more and more in the world today, how people are actually offended by the Word of God. This is indeed a sad thing to see, because we as Christians are losing our right to use the Word of God. Almost seems as if when certain scripture goes against the belief of another person we should avoid using it in any setting, because it may offend someone.

It's a shame when this type of thinking is brought into a body of believers. This should not be, for it will only lead to the destruction of that body. I think back to a Christian chat room I used to enjoy, It started out as a wonderful place. Christians gathered there and shared scriptures, had Bible studies, praised God, Prayed together, etc...

Something happened in that place though, other claiming to be Christians joined in, but there were certain scriptures they took offense of because those scriptures went against the way they wanted to live their life. Before long Christians that believed in Gods Word were being kicked, and banned, for no other reason than sharing scriptures. Because others saw scriptures they didn't agree with as an attack on others. It got to a point where Christians could no longer share the Word of God with one another.

I can see this happening in the world today. Even right here the forums I can see it starting to take place. I saw a news article this morning the headline stating that a court agreed that the Bible is hate literature.

This makes me wonder, How much longer until we are denied the right to share the Word of God with others in the USA.

Isaiah 55:6-7 
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near; Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

 

 

[Serving4Christ]

GraftMeIn,

You couldn't be more correct!  I've always been told from as young as I can remember, "There are certain topics you just don't bring up...sex, politics and religion." 

It is so stringent these days that even in the military I have to "watch what I discuss" in front of others. 

It saddens me to see where we are leading to these last days.  I watch news reports of the ten commandments being revoked from being displayed in courthouses, to the pledge of allegience being thrown out of schools because of the word God in it, and even in my own studies of Apologetics and Theology the schools are having to be careful with how they teach it because they have to give equal rights to the evolutionists vs. the Creationists, otherwise they can't teach it. 

When the time comes GraftMeIn...I will gladly take persecution before I will ever shut up about God!   

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

When the time comes GraftMeIn...I will gladly take persecution before I will ever shut up about God!    

This may sound harsh.... but I really believe anyone who thinks we're suffering "persecution" in America needs to spend some time in China, Seirra Leone, Saudi Arabia, India or certain parts of Africa, or at least look into them. Those are places where Christianity is met with legal penalties, hatred and death. And personally I think calling our irritations "persecution" comes near dishonoring all the Christians around the world who've faced jail, torture and murder.

What has happened in America is we have lost the "culture war". IMO this is not a bad thing necessarily, but it does mean that Christians don't have more or less free reign. We don't have control(and I think the idea that we somehow should, that some right has been stripped from us is terribly misguided). But as yet, Christians still have quite a bit of influence and we're certainly not being impeded in any real way. Bookstores stock shelf after shelf of bibles, Christian broadcasting certainly isn't limited, openly Christian musicians are doing better than ever..... how do we have any right to complain?

That said, bad things still happen and there's no denying that..... but there's a difference between the actions of a misguided schoolboard/ boss/ etc. and "persecution".

 

[Serving4Christ]

Today at 11:13 PM EliasEmmanuel said this in Post #3

This may sound harsh.... but I really believe anyone who thinks we're suffering "persecution" in America needs to spend some time in China, Seirra Leone, Saudi Arabia, India or certain parts of Africa, or at least look into them. Those are places where Christianity is met with legal penalties, hatred and death. And personally I think calling our irritations "persecution" comes near dishonoring all the Christians around the world who've faced jail, torture and murder.

What has happened in America is we have lost the "culture war". IMO this is not a bad thing necessarily, but it does mean that Christians don't have more or less free reign. We don't have control(and I think the idea that we somehow should, that some right has been stripped from us is terribly misguided). But as yet, Christians still have quite a bit of influence and we're certainly not being impeded in any real way. Bookstores stock shelf after shelf of bibles, Christian broadcasting certainly isn't limited, openly Christian musicians are doing better than ever..... how do we have any right to complain?

That said, bad things still happen and there's no denying that..... but there's a difference between the actions of a misguided schoolboard/ boss/ etc. and "persecution".

This may sound harsh.... but I really believe anyone who thinks we're suffering "persecution" in America needs to spend some time in China, Seirra Leone, Saudi Arabia, India or certain parts of Africa, or at least look into them.

Agreed!  In my thread I posted, it did not state that we are suffering persecution.  I made a statement to my faith at the bottom of my text. 

I'm in the United States Military, and persecution becomes more of a threat to me everytime my name comes up to be deployed to Christian-Hatred countries.  I'm trained to only give my name rank and serial number if ever captured as a POW.  Hypothetically, what if?  What if I get asked about my faith?  I will gladly take what comes my way. 

 

[GraftMeIn]

Yesterday at 07:50 PM Serving4Christ said this in Post #2


When the time comes GraftMeIn...I will gladly take persecution before I will ever shut up about God!   

I'll say Amen to that! We might not be there yet, but we do seem to be headed in that direction.

 

[GraftMeIn]

Yesterday at 10:13 PM EliasEmmanuel said this in Post #3

This may sound harsh.... but I really believe anyone who thinks we're suffering "persecution" in America needs to spend some time in China, Seirra Leone, Saudi Arabia, India or certain parts of Africa, or at least look into them. Those are places where Christianity is met with legal penalties, hatred and death. And personally I think calling our irritations "persecution" comes near dishonoring all the Christians around the world who've faced jail, torture and murder.

What has happened in America is we have lost the "culture war". IMO this is not a bad thing necessarily, but it does mean that Christians don't have more or less free reign. We don't have control(and I think the idea that we somehow should, that some right has been stripped from us is terribly misguided). But as yet, Christians still have quite a bit of influence and we're certainly not being impeded in any real way. Bookstores stock shelf after shelf of bibles, Christian broadcasting certainly isn't limited, openly Christian musicians are doing better than ever..... how do we have any right to complain?

That said, bad things still happen and there's no denying that..... but there's a difference between the actions of a misguided schoolboard/ boss/ etc. and "persecution".

It's true we have it much better in America than anywhere else in this world, But things are slowly changing and it's only a sign of the times.

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

Today at 01:17 PM GraftMeIn said this in Post #6
It's true we have it much better in America than anywhere else in this world, But things are slowly changing and it's only a sign of the times.

How is it "changing"? We have a president who's a professing Christian, Christian music is being accepted, to a point, in the mainstream, Christian publishing and broadcasting are completely unimpeded...... the only thing we have to complain about is that we have a bad reputation, and I'd wager that's mostly because we've earned it.

Again, I think saying we're living in "troubled times" in America (regarding how Christians are treated) is a slap in the face to our Chinese and Saudi brothers and sisters, among myriad others. (why is it a "sign of the times" in america but not there?)

 

[GraftMeIn]

Today at 10:32 AM EliasEmmanuel said this in Post #7

How is it "changing"? We have a president who's a professing Christian, Christian music is being accepted, to a point, in the mainstream, Christian publishing and broadcasting are completely unimpeded...... the only thing we have to complain about is that we have a bad reputation, and I'd wager that's mostly because we've earned it.

Again, I think saying we're living in "troubled times" in America (regarding how Christians are treated) is a slap in the face to our Chinese and Saudi brothers and sisters, among myriad others. (why is it a "sign of the times" in america but not there?)

I think you have missed the entire point of this thread. It's not intended to slap anyone in the face.

I ask that you'll read this thread again, You may notice that I was speaking about things I've experienced. I never said we were being persecuted.

 

 

[reeann]

Both make excellent points. Christians are persecuted in America but as pointed out, we still have our freedom to worship, we just are not liked. Very different from some third world countries. However, that doesn't make the feelings less. It hurts me when someone doesn't like or love me, and it hurts me too when they don't love Jesus. Not the disfunctional hurt but a deep sorrow.

I've got to look it up but there will be a day, in all of the earth, when to stand for Christ will mean physical death, suffering and persecution. Are you ready for it? I personally have some oil to gather for my lamps *goes off to gather*

 

[GraftMeIn]

Amen Reeann! We all have oil that needs gathering! May we all be prepared for whatever comes our way.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

Today at 12:32 PM EliasEmmanuel said this in Post #7

How is it "changing"? We have a president who's a professing Christian, Christian music is being accepted, to a point, in the mainstream, Christian publishing and broadcasting are completely unimpeded...... the only thing we have to complain about is that we have a bad reputation, and I'd wager that's mostly because we've earned it.

Again, I think saying we're living in "troubled times" in America (regarding how Christians are treated) is a slap in the face to our Chinese and Saudi brothers and sisters, among myriad others. (why is it a "sign of the times" in america but not there?)

Yes our President is a professing Christian, and Christian music is being accepted, to a point... BUT the name of Jesus become more hated every day. Our president recieves no slack when he mentions his faith in God, but what about his faith is Jesus Christ? Did you know that it is now illegal in some parts of California to mention the name "Jesus" in an opening government prayer? I didn't either until last night when I heard a testimony from someone who said that that is the case. You can say "God" all you want because the world doesn't know you mean "God" not "god." To them they could care less... but to say the name "Jesus" is intolerance and THAT is what is becoming increasingly worse. To our culture there is a vast difference between the word "God" and the name "Jesus."

"Christian music" is also doing well... P.O.D. (a group which is known as a Christian group with a Christian label) had a hit song "Youth of a Nation." America can accept that... but do you see any mention of the name "Jesus" in their songs? Where do you find the name "Jesus" in any of the top 100?

"God" music is accepted... "Jesus" music is not.

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

Our president recieves no slack when he mentions his faith in God, but what about his faith is Jesus Christ? Did you know that it is now illegal in some parts of California to mention the name "Jesus" in an opening government prayer? I didn't either until last night when I heard a testimony from someone who said that that is the case. You can say "God" all you want because the world doesn't know you mean "God" not "god." To them they could care less... but to say the name "Jesus" is intolerance and THAT is what is becoming increasingly worse. To our culture there is a vast difference between the word "God" and the name "Jesus."

Yes, I knew that, or things to that effect....... point is, that law is the same one that keeps Government prayers from being opened in the name of Allah, Krishna, or any other god. Because Congress can't give it's corporate stamp of approval to any one religion..... I'm not totally nuts about this particular facet of it, but it's necessary. It's stuff like that that keeps the Government from dictating who and how I can worship.

I know people see "God" as a sort of generic, whereas "Jesus" causes more of a stir.... but can we expect any less? Have we been told to? We were never told the world would be nuts about us... honestly, I think this is a matter of having lost favor in the world's eyes and not liking it.

"Christian music" is also doing well... P.O.D. (a group which is known as a Christian group with a Christian label) had a hit song "Youth of a Nation." America can accept that... but do you see any mention of the name "Jesus" in their songs? Where do you find the name "Jesus" in any of the top 100?

POD are known for speaking openly about their faith at shows, always have been. They're not hiding under any rocks.... we could talk about how many "Jesuses" are required before music is officially Christian, but....

In any case, my point stands: among all the nations of the world, we have nothing to really complain about. And I still don't see why the annoyances we endure here are a "sign of the times", but the hell Christians in the Sudan or China have to endure isn't.... I know the idea of this thread isn't to slap anyone in the face, but set against the horror happening elsewhere it seems a little like complaining about an ingrown toenail in a room full of cancer patients.

Just bothers me because God's given us SO much in this country and we still complain.