Cowardly Christians

I am a Christian. I became a disciple of Jesus Christ during my stint in the Air Force in 1979. My world view is Christian. Science, sociology, law, politics, economics, ethics, psychology, biology, history, theology, philosophy are all areas of study where the Christian world view is clear and tenable. So, when I speak of Christianity and Christians I am speaking of my own. When I say Christians I mean those, and only those, who have a personal, born again, biblically evinced, relationship with Jesus the Christ. We know who we are. If you are not sure if you fit this description then you absolutely do not. If you would like to understand and have assurance, then get alone for about two hours, obtain a reliable copy of the bible (New King James, (New) American Standard, New International Version), open it to the book of John. Before reading the book, close your eyes and pray this (or something similar):

God, I am not sure if you are real or not. But I do have confidence that if you are real, and therefore the most powerful force in the universe, you can reach me. I am a finite human but you are the infinite God. I want to know you and your son Jesus if you will allow me. Please show me the truth. Please reveal yourself to me as I read this book from your word.

If after offering this humble confession and finishing the book of John in one sitting, you do not know God or His son Jesus, then you never will. If the infinite all powerful God of the universe has not revealed Himself, then you are not chosen; you have my complete and utter sympathy. But this is not the subject of this BLOG entry.

I am tired, sick and tired to be precise, of limp-spined, yellow-bellied, chicken-hearted Christians. I aim this especially at American Christians, but any Christian who is portrayed in the above list. Duty before self preservation should be the mantra of all whose eternal life has been bought and secured by the Savior. Instead, these Christians are afraid of everything. If making a stand for Jesus’ truth, in any arena, means any discomfort or potential danger or risk, any at all, they will give up their duty to promulgate this truth in favor of self preservation. Jesus said that if you love anything more than me you are not worthy of me. Self preservation is definitely included. I can think of many illustrations of this activity, but I will pick one that is a particular peeve of mine.

First Peter, chapter 2, verse thirteen says that Christians are to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. Cowardly Christians use this verse to avoid any conflict with governing authorities, even to the loss of freedoms and property. But, do these Christians really believe this verse. I mean do they really believe that they are to obey every ordinance given by any legitimate governing authority. I propose that they do not believe this and that they should not. We hide behind this verse for self preservation. Let me explain using three examples.

Ask your self these questions and answer honestly even if you feel a trap coming on. Is the government of Canada a legitimate governing authority? Yes it is. Is a Christian in Wyoming required, by the order in I Peter, to obey every ordinance of man coming out of Canada? No he or she is not. Is a Christian in Denver, again a legitimate governing authority, required to obey ordinances from Houston? No. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a legitimate governing authority, is it not? If a Christian is not in the military are they required by this scripture to obey the ordinances of the UCMJ? Lets all say it at once. No they are not!! I trust you have pick up my point by now. No honest Christian really believes we are subject to every ordinance of man. We (rightly) believe that we are subject only to that authority which has legitimate rule over us. What are we talking about here folks? In the law we are talking about jurisdiction. In our nation there are as many as twenty differing types of legal jurisdictions – there may be more.

We are not required to obey ordinances from authorities that do not have jurisdiction over us. However, there may be times when governing authorities step out of their lawful jurisdiction and attempt to ordain rules for everybody including those over whom they have no legitimate rule. Sometimes this is simply an inconvenience and others it is outright tyranny. Namby-pamby Christians will obey, say, the United Nations, or other "laws," out of fear of what might happen if they don’t. They act as though they are following God’s will according to I Peter, but they are really just afraid of what duty may call upon them to do, so they self preserve in the name of God. It is cowardly. I am ashamed of them.

The Hebrew midwives were given a direct order by a legitimate governing authority and they refused to comply. I know, I know they told Pharaoh that the Hebrew women were too hearty and that the babies were already born before they got there. The midwives could have still complied with Pharaoh’s orders by killing the infant anyway. These midwives had no intention at all of ever complying with this ordinance of man – hearty birth mothers or not. They saw themselves under the jurisdiction of God first and foremost – they put duty before self preservation. Their action is recorded for all time and praised by All Mighty God. May every Christian have the heart of these faithful servants? Persecuted Christians all over the world put duty to Jesus Christ over their families, businesses and very life. Christians in America cower when they are told they can’t read their bible in school or gather around the flag for prayer, or, God for bid, witness to somebody at work. The fear of man truly brings a snare. Shame on the cowards.

Finally, knowing that jurisdiction is critical to our duty before God and man; don’t you think that every Christian has a responsibility to know and fully understand the lawful jurisdictions under which he or she resides? Don’t you think that every Christian has a duty to know what true and lawful rule can be wielded by those governing bodies around them? Other wise how will we know when we are being set upon by unscrupulous men? The machinations of evil are often shrouded and need full light to be exposed. How can we as Christians shine the light of truth if we can’t even find the flash light of knowledge? So grow a spine, read a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Study the bible and do your duty.

The Rattlesnake