GET IN THE GAME
NO SUCH THING AS A 'SECRET' CHRISTIAN ANYMORE
Exclusive: Jason & David Benham declare, 'It's time to reveal ourselves and risk it all'
If the events of the past month teach us anything, it’s that if you’re a Christian living in America, people should know it. There can be no such thing as a “secret” Christian anymore, especially if you occupy a position of influence.
Unfortunately, many Christians, especially those in positions of authority, are afraid to reveal their true identity for fear of being mocked, ridiculed or even persecuted for their faith. But the time for being quiet has passed – it’s time to stand.
We heard it once said, “Silence is golden. But sometimes it’s just plain yellow.”
In some circumstances, silence can be courageous, but silence in the world we face today is pure cowardice.
So how do you discern when it’s time to speak or remain quiet?
To answer this, we look to the best-selling book in the history of the world, the book that was quoted more than any other book at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and the book that President George Washington bent over and kissed at his inauguration – the Bible.
There’s a story contained in its pages that provides a nugget of wisdom that’s relevant for us today, given our current socio-political climate. It should compel us to stand up and speak out. It’s the story of Esther.
As a young Jewish girl being raised by her uncle, Mordecai, in the Persian Empire, Esther became the queen of Persia by a miraculous set of circumstances.
She was instructed by her uncle not to reveal her identity as a Jew. So the whole time she was in the king’s court, Esther never fully revealed herself to the king. All he knew was that she was incredibly beautiful inside and out. (She couldn’t hold a candle to our wives, though!)
Haman was another leader in the kingdom, and he hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow or pay homage to him. So Haman sought to eliminate Mordecai’s influence from the king’s gate by exterminating him and all the other Jews.
Haman, who is also called the “adversary” or “enemy” of the Jews, then devised such a plan. The king’s stamp of approval was all he needed to implement it.
And he got it. The king agreed to Haman’s plot, and orders were issued to exterminate God’s people from Persia on a certain day. All Jewish influence in Persia would be gone forever, in a single moment in time.
As soon as Mordecai read the king’s decree, he tore his clothes and wailed loudly in the king’s gate. It caused enough of a scene that Queen Esther sent her servant to find out what was going on.
After explaining Haman’s plot to exterminate the Jews, Mordecai then ordered Esther to reveal her identity to the king – to stand up and speak out.
Her first response was based on fear, “But I could die if the king does not first summon me.”
Mordecai responded, “Who knows if you haven’t obtained royalty for such a time as this?!” He reminded her of who she was.
Esther’s second response was based on courage, “I will go in to the king, and if I perish I perish.”
Thankfully, when the king saw Esther standing in his court, he summoned her. She then exposed Haman’s plot to the king, and he issued a new decree to protect the Jews.
Esther saved God’s people from being destroyed because she was willing to risk it all! A stake of testimony was driven deep into the Persian Empire.
There’s much more to the story, but the important thing to note is that the time Esther stood up and revealed herself was when “Haman’s plot” was in the “head of the king.”
The same is true today.
A lesser version of “Haman’s plot” (the agenda to silence Christian influence) is alive and well in America. And, unfortunately, this plot is now in the head of our governing authorities.
Thankfully, we’re not being killed for our faith. (God help those in other countries who are.) But our reputations, jobs and churches are certainly coming under attack. And it’s not time to sit quietly by, enjoying our positions of influence.
When 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is lit up like a rainbow and our tax dollars are paying for the extermination of babies and harvesting of their body parts, we have an Esther situation on our hands. The question is, which Esther will we be – the first, ruled by fear? Or the second, responding with courage?
It’s time to speak up. It’s time to reveal ourselves and risk it all.
Like Esther, we may be afraid. That’s OK – it’s natural. But it’s supernatural to stand and speak when so much is on the line.
If you claim to be a Christian, now is the time to reveal yourself and take a stand – just like Esther
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/no-such-thing-as-a-secret-christian-anymore/#yV0LCaWfPmcWqR9l.99My comments: "I tell you: Whoever declares openly--speaking out freely--and confesses that he is My worshiper and acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will declare and confess and acknowledge him before the angels of God.
But he who disowns and denies and rejects and refuses to acknowledge Me before men will be disowned and denied and rejected and refused acknowledgement in the Presence of the angels of God." (Luke 12:8, 9, AMP)
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