Christians In The Crosshairs

AMERICA – AND CHRISTIANS IN THE CROSSHAIRS.

Christians will know in some sense that our time is up

whenever we discover that Judas is on the way.

Might American Christians be turned into the hands of tormentors for injustice and abuse to silence us? How long will it be until the headlines will read:

"Final ruling: Christian's banned from anti-gay speech."

"U.N. ruling: Christians banned from speaking against Islam."

THE JUDAS PRINCIPLE

This is the conduct that you see whenever a friend of the gospel turns sharply against Jesus Christ, His teachings and His followers. Then to face a Judas, might we hope for some kind of compassion? No. This kind of mentality will first set out to find Christ, or today to find Christian people, while bringing the crowds behind them.

AN AMERICAN JUDAS?

America was founded by leaders who were friendly towards Christian principles, so can't we expect our leaders to remain as our friends today? Will all of our elected representatives be genuine as the friends of Christianity or might some of them be bought off to betray us?

DECEPTION AND DISGRACE

Let's see how a betrayer conducts himself. And this is what separates the real diplomats in Washington, DC today from so many cheap politicians. While Judas was coldly into his act of seeking Jesus, amazingly, he had a big crowd of big men carrying big clubs and who would not hesitate to give his most trusted friends a big beating. So how do angry crowds pursue a people of peace? With hostility! They even came with swords, weapons for drawing blood! The Judas principle examined: Is there shame over deception? Not through the process! Judas would veil his intentions as he warmly greeted Jesus, to say, "Hail, master!" Self-seeking betrayers are deceptive while faking their loyalty. When this Judas came, he beguiled his intentions, and he "kissed him."

ENEMIES – NOT OF FLESH AND BLOOD

Now, let's learn from Jesus. What was His response? Christ was everything that Judas was not while being compassionate, transparent, void of ulterior motives and even gentle. However, I wonder if Peter didn't have some choice words to confront and denounce this wicked defector-friend while grasping his sword. Yet, Jesus stayed his hand from further violence. To die in a moment of attack, Peter would never have accomplished the great work of the gospel ahead of him, even as Jesus set His face like a flint towards the cross.

THE CROWDS

How does the American crowd and press, perhaps either impress or depress you today? Those around Judas are like lots of the American people today – foolish and shallow! They failed to practice normal logical responses, apparently made no effort to control their emotions, were emptied of compassion, were blinded by frenzy, knew hatred without foresight, released Judas from accountability, aligned with the wicked, and never would think of exposing Judas as the traitor he was!

CHRISTIAN VALUES AND THE FREEFALL FROM THE APPROVAL RATINGS

In our recent generation, the failure to be "correct" does not raise an outrage so much as the failure to be "politically correct." The politically correct get really cool about evidences but really heated about exposure. Just agree with any lie! So the failure to tell the truth in politics no longer raises great concern. They are even expected and endorsed through their lies! So crowds affirm the politically correct politicians even if they are incorrect by lies. So now we have fallen so low as to dignify deceit. Simply check it out: Who has been trapped by their lies? Are they not the politically correct? The oxymoron for destruction: Correct in lying, evil for good, darkness for light, and bitter for sweet.

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;

that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).

THE LORD!

How is it standing with Jesus as the crowd is coming to take Him away? And what then if they should seize us in a like manner? Then friend, we need to know that we have the same Lord! Our giving Savior was crucified, our great Champion has risen, and our glorious King is coming again! He bears the wounds of battle, He reigns today in power, and when He comes there won't be any doubt about who will be taking anybody away!

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Rev. 7:9-10).

Email from Brother C.B.