THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

Christianity in the United States has been under attack before, but of late, it seems that the opposition to it is the focus of the majority. I believe the Civil Liberties Union has forgotten it is for the liberty of Americans, or that it has forgotten that Americans can be Christians. What they used to champion, "freedom of religion," has become "freedom from religion." Oddly though, they do not seem to have a problem with Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or any other "ism." Symbols of other religions are accepted without question, but should one use a cross, a manger scene, or say, "Merry Christmas," they leap into action. Why is that?

The answer is really quite simple. Other religions have a minority status in America, and as such, pose little threat to them. They see Christianity and its huge voting potential, as a hindrance to their agenda. Sadly, a large number of Christians are of little threat to them, because they fail to vote according to the teachings of the Bible. And those who do vote that way are labeled as radical extremists, and lumped together with the Islamic extremists. Understandably, the majority of them feel that way as a few, claiming to be Christians, burn crosses, blow up abortion clinics, and assassinate doctors. But, beneath their fear of the actions of "radicals," lies a more serious threat. Christians, those who are true believers, are Christ-like. They shine a light on corruption, immorality, and hypocrisy . Evil deeds are almost always done in the shadows. Light, more than anything else, causes those committing sin to scatter.

Jesus said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19). Born again Christians are indwelt by God's Spirit, and because we have the Spirit, we serve to convict the world "of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:7-11). Jesus also said in His prayer, "I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14). But that begs the question: How can one who is not hated by the world claim to be a Christian? The answer is there are two kinds of people who claim to be Christian: there are those who profess to be Christian, but are merely religious, and those who possess the characteristics of the One Who indwells them. As opposition to Christianity increases, more and more of those professing will fall away. In a way, opposition is sort of a light as well, because it causes those who are Christian in name only, to scatter. Irony!

I am an American. I live in this world. But I am not of this world. This world is not my home, I'm just passin' through. But while I am here, I want the world to know I carry a powerful "flashlight."