We are called to speak up

Make voices known

Around 2014 Mandisa sang a song that became very popular. It was “You were born for this” a song about soon to become Queen Esther breaking traditions, rules, and social etiquette. She was a Jew, an enemy of the King, which she kept a secret. Despite all that was at risk for her, and her uncle Mordecai, the safety and the fate of many Jewish people balanced on what she was asked to do. The following words from Mordecai, found in the book of Esther, set the stage for Esther making maybe the most important decision of her life. They were;

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14, NIV) (emphasis mine)

As I listen to the news, I hear all types of laws being put forward, comments that we should be inclusive and accepting of disgusting, degrading, perverted, and biblically and socially unacceptable actions and ways of life. It is sickening just to hear what some people want us to accept, honor, and condone let alone see it happen in practice.

Normal people are asking how did it get this far? Some of the activities they were promoting 10 years ago would have landed people in jail! What happened to our moral code that even atheists agreed to?   

My thoughts are formed in part from Esther 4:13-14, scriptural advice, and from the words of the song. Good people, Christians, became lukewarm (and you know what God thinks of lukewarm people), lazy, afraid to speak up for injustice, ignoring the past, allowing sin to increase and saying nothing, and the thought of only looking out for yourself and not others. Esther had a difficult decision to make; speak up and face possible serious consequences for herself or keep silent and still face life-threatening consequences not just for her but all the Jewish community. This was her time for “such a time as this” and she did not waste it. She spoke up.

From what I observe, most Christians have ignored our calling “for such a time as this” by keeping silent and even encouraging pastors and others not to address the current influx of sin, debauchery, child mutilation, and the admittance that these thoughts and feelings of people who think they are of another gender (and even species) or sexual orientation and a whole assortment of illogical feelings are part of the problem. And how about the notion that it is ok to abort a child up to birth? And some are promoting even up to 28 days after birth. Is human life now subjective? Where is the outcry?

We all need to speak up, in a Christ-like manner, and often. With our neighbors and from the pulpit. Many say it is a political not a religious matter. I say no, just check out scripture and you will find murder, sexual deviancy, the definition of man and woman, treatment of children and how to raise them, and every crisis we face today is directly or indirectly mentioned in scripture along with advice on how to handle the situation and the consequences if ignored or accepted. So, I encourage all pastors to be strong, stand tall and preach it! Preach the Word! Don’t condemn the people condemn the actions; let it be known that abhorrent activities have no place in His church and will not be accepted here. Let it be known that love, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, and spiritual assistance is available for all those who desire to repent and change their ways. They are the ones who need to change, not God’s children!

Part of our duties are to pray, speak up, speak the truth in love, share the gospel, and be the light He intends us to be. The rest is up to God.      

To hear the song, go to; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZvZWUZFevI

Blessings, D