Image Credit: Canva
Submitted by Tracey Smith [chair, Knox for Liberty] –
I’ve watched you my whole life. I have prayed with you, talked with you, laughed with you, and cried with you many times. We’ve had meals together, shared our lives and our families with one another. But I have watched you change over the years.
At first, it was subtle things like Sunday attire and musical selection. Then, service began looking more like an elaborate concert production rather than a period of time dedicated to praising our Lord and Savior.
And, the sermons were all about becoming the best “you”, feeling good, and being financially successful. The focus was off. Way off. Of course, I’m sure you have several rebuttals to this assessment. There are always excuses for why. It makes us feel better to have an explanation. Plus, it was easy and comfortable and didn’t require us to address any sin or repent.
Then things happened very swiftly over the last four years. They called it a pandemic. Fear hung heavily across the nation and was consistently fed and propagated. I needed to gather and pray with you, but the doors were closed. I needed to lift my praise with you and feel the power that comes when the body of Christ worships together, but you weren’t there. I needed you to speak the truth to our community that the Bible says 365 times “Do not fear”. You were silent.
I watched as the 50-year long battle to protect the lives of the innocent had an amazing win with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. This was historic. Monumental. How many innocent lives could be saved by this ruling? I expected that there would be parades in the streets and celebrations at every church. There were a few mentions during the Sunday sermon. Otherwise, you were silent.
I watched as the children were attacked. Mass confusion and sexualization were pedaled through social media and the schools. They tried to convince everyone that what was being taught, performed, and published was perfectly fine for children to consume. Satanic after-school clubs were implemented and cartoons, movies, and TV shows for children glorified the devil without apology or attempt to hide their intent. Yet, I saw no concerted efforts to promote or increase Christian after-school clubs or create mass media video content to teach children about Jesus. You were silent.
I watched as the pastors who tried to minister during the pandemic, at the abortion clinics, or during the events glorifying pride were arrested. Their right to free speech and freedom to worship was stolen. Prayers and words related to Jesus Christ and conservatism were blocked on social media. The nuclear family, the very building block of a stable society, was attacked, and children were being taught to turn against their parents and hide information from them. And, you were silent.
I watched as people became more and more confused, anxious, depressed, and desperate for the true Word of God and the peace that only a relationship with Jesus can provide. There were so many broken people right in our own front yard. But the church was working in other countries. Corrupt leaders at every level and party affiliation ruled over the masses, breaking laws and working against the people. But the church was convinced that they could not get involved in the governance of their community. So, your voices were silent.
I could feel the cries from the people starved for leadership. They craved Truth and honesty. Reason and logic were ridiculed and denied. They needed the soldiers of God to rise up and lead the way. But the pastors were afraid that people might be hurt or angry, stop donating, or the church’s tax-exempt status might be revoked. So, you were silent.
So many opportunities. So little time left to stand. Are you finally ready to speak up? Is your pastor? The battle is good versus evil, and you need the entire armor of God for this one, my friend. Pray for an awakening and revival. Pray for Truth to prevail. Pray for the mighty warriors of God to arise and take their place. Then, roar like the lions you are called to be. Where are you, church?
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17
