Stepping out of the shadows

Wow. Tough subject, huh? But should it be? Jordan and I were talking about this last night. While I don’t fully agree with the burning, I do understand this pastor’s frustration and fear of what is trying to creep it’s way into our culture. I do feel that we, as the church of Jesus Christ, have fallen asleep over the past 40-50 years. We have become so “tolerant” that we feel that we can no longer stand up for our faith…for what we believe in. That begs the question, “What do we believe in?”

You are totally correct in your assertion that we, as Christian Americans, have slipped into an apathy concerning our faith. We have allowed humanists the final word in so many issues, to the point that we have become silent for fear of ridicule and what we want to think is “persecution”. We want to be accepted and loved, not for our faith, but instead, in spite of our faith. (Seems to me that there is just something wrong with that, huh?) Jesus himself said that we, as believers in Him, would be hated, just as He was hated (John 15:18). So then, why haven’t we, the church, accepted His words. Perhaps our faith is not what it needs to be.

Jesus even says that we are blessed when we are persecuted because of Him (Matthew 5:11), and yet we have still hidden in the shadows because of our faith. Hmm…maybe we haven’t been what we have been called to be? That’s what should frighten us. In the long-run what matters is our stand for what is true, what is right and what is of Jehovah God. It is He who we have to answer to in the end, not man…and certainly not a politician, a judge, an imam, or even our neighbor. We should fear only the One who is the true judge (Matthew 10:28)…God Almighty.

That being said…what about this Florida Minister and his plans to burn the Quran? From the human standpoint and in the context of what he has the “right” to do (according to our nation’s Constitution), he has every right to do it. But does that make it right?

I find it similar to the issue with the building of the mosque at Ground Zero. The imam that wants to do this does indeed have the Constitutional “right” to do it. this however, in my humble opinion, by no means makes it the “right” thing to do. Others are affected by most of the decisions we make in life, sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. Building a mosque at this site, which is considered to be hallowed/sacred ground too most Americans, would come across as a slap in the face and disrespect for those who died there, their families and for the countless Americans who despise what happened on that September day in New York City (and the other 2 downed planes). While they have the “right” to build, it is simply not right.

In the same way, I must consider Terry Jones, the Florida Minister who has stated his intent to burn the Quran. While, yes indeed, he has the “right” to do this, it might not be the right thing to do. He has made it very apparent that he is against the Muslim faith. His point is made (and I agree whole-heartedly with that point).

Perhaps he would do better if he were to study the Islamic beliefs (read the Quran) and then counter them with the Bible (the true Word of God). We have to know our enemy and his weapons before we can adequately combat him. He could make a much more valiant effort to reach a lost world, including those that are lost in their Muslim beliefs, and win them over to the true God and creator of all.

I do not feel that Terry Jones is using this as a “publicity stunt” as many have suggested. I feel that he is doing what is right (in his mind) in combating against the enemy of the true, living God. Unfortunately, I think he is being driven by his passion and not by the Holy Spirit.

I, by no means, condemn his action, should he do it, but I do question whether this is truly the best way to reach those lost in the Muslim faith and to point out what is truly the intent of it’s core belief, to “conquer” the infidel and to take over the world.

Folks, we really have to wake up! We have got to realize what Islam is doing in the rest of the world and what it is trying to do to our own nation. As scripture tells us, we ARE in a battle…a battle of right and wrong…a battle of good vs. evil…a spiritual nightmare! But you know what? If we remain TRULY sold out to Jesus, faithful to His word…a DANGEROUS CHURCH, full of believers who stand boldly for Him…we will be (and are) “more than conquerors”! (Romans 8:37)

Jimmyfrank and David said it all. Why have we been so quiet? Would we be as willing to be as bold as to speak up and speak out in defense of our faith — the one true faith? Islam is growing. They are the instrument that will harold the eventual end of the world and the return of Christ … I say, “Bring it on!”
We need to be a dangerous church to fulfill the Christ-given mission of salvation to the world. It begins will each and every one of us being faithful to our own call of God.

Pastor Terry Jones said burning the Quran is a radical thing to do. I don’t agree with his decision to burn the Quran because I can’t see that will bring Muslims to become Jesus followers. I do want to become bold and radical like Pastor Jones but in a way that will grow God’s Kingdom.
The war against terrorism and spread of the Muslim faith can only be won with the love of Christ. If you have been blessed to know any missionaries in the Middle East you will see the love God has placed in their hearts for the Muslim people. They don’t burn the Quran. They follow the path and ways of Jesus Christ and share God’s Word at every opportunity even risking their lives to do so!