IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray
December 22, 2012
“Where do YOU stand?”
My husband and I have a regular discussion about a subject widely ignored by our church and many others. I once rose and asked the question, but the response was tepid and not at all germane in substance.
Let me ask you. “Where do YOU stand? There is a war on Christianity and nobody steps into the pulpit to address it — at least not in my denomination. I took heart when the Catholic Bishop in New York City railed against the government. They very idea that our nation could force Catholic hospitals to offer health care that went against their core beliefs is ridiculous.
As Christians, we pose a threat. We stress the work ethic, respect for authority, and the traditional family. What’s more, we live our lives by ten rules that scare the pants off these people.
We know sin and we call it out as such. We refuse to accept the fracture of the American family. We espouse the role of a mother and father in a household. Remember, it was Adam and Eve in the garden, not Adam and Jeeve. Had that arrangement held, humanity would met an early end.
The very fact that we honor a higher power puts — for the want of a term they would appreciate — the “fear of God” into these folks, despite the fact that none of them would own up to THAT description.
Demeaning Christians and diminishing belief in God must give these folks some sort of comfort, but I think there is more to it than that.
Fear is quite the motivator. We don’t follow God’s laws because we fear God. We follow Him because we love and respect him. Most of the spokespeople who rant and rave against Christianity focus on self. Everything is self-centered and nothing else holds sway over their destiny.
Why don’t pastors of major denominations stand up and fight for their faith? As my grandfather would have quipped, “Makes no sense to me.” We pause to remember Jesus’ birth at Christmas and his resurrection at Easter, but do we live as it we witnessed either or both events? Most of us do not.
Jesus died for us. Why can’t we stand up for Him? As you take time out from Christmas parties and festive gatherings, remember that you have a bigger job than wrapping gifts or hosting dinners. You owe God more than an hour a week. Beyond living a good life and setting a good example, you need to take time to stand up against the forces that seek to crush the Christian faith.
The fact that few of us hear this from the pulpit is discouraging, but that can change — if we move for it! I am unfamiliar with non-denominational churches, but national denominations ignore this war against Christianity.
Those who wish to silence us are not only loud, but they also don’t mind making fools of themselves. It is hard to be steadfast and polite, but we CAN do it. Make this Christmas the one that begins a new chapter in your life. Deny atheists, secularists and nonbelievers any success. Ask your church leaders to speak out when they see local or state decisions moving to diminish personal faith.
When you greet people, wish each and every one of them a Merry Christmas. If I hear “Happy Holidays” one more time…. Well, you know how I feel, because you probably feel the same way.
When we allow Christmas to be watered down, we only fuel those hateful elements within our culture that work against us. If your faith is important to you, stand up for it!
Merry Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus. As Tiny Tim said, “God bless us every one.”