The End of Timid Christianity

          A few nights ago, my parents I went out to dinner just to celebrate being alive (and maybe the fact that my brother wasn't home -- wrestlers' diets don't often include going out to dinner). We got to talking about the government and the way things are headed in America. We talked about the founding fathers of this country, and how they risked everything for what they believed in. If you haven't heard some of the quotes that come from that period of time, you are missing out on some of the richest history I've ever come across. Thomas Jefferson has been quoted as saying, "The Tree of Liberty must be watered from time to time with the blood of tyrants and patriots." He totally believed in his cause, and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to see it to completion. 

          Most people know the famous, "Give me liberty, or give me death," quote, but I bet you don't know the rest of it. While the entire speech wasn't recorded, the first few lines were. "Give me liberty, or give me death," is actually the end to this phrase: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" These were men who were walking the walk, not just talking the talk; their houses were burned, they were attacked by loyalists and British soldiers, their families were not safe. But they believed in their cause, and they were bold about it. 
          So what does this have to do with us as Christians? Well the founding fathers had a noble cause, but we have an even greater cause to be bold about. The thing is, today's Christians seem to be terrified of not being "politically correct," so they back away from the truth to try to go with the flow. Well let me tell you something, church. "The flow" is flowing in the exact opposite direction of Jesus Christ. The ideas of this world, the things it values, the things it permits, they are straight rebellion of God. Look at what wonderful role models we have! We have hundreds of martyrs who took a stand for Christ and did not back down even as they were being taken to slaughter! We have people who were locked in prisons for years upon years, but they continued to boldly claim the name of Christ. Fast forward to 2001 -- does anyone remember Rachel Scott? The 17-year-old girl, a girl who was the same age as me, looked her killer in the eye and did not deny her love for Christ.

          This is something that has been eating at me for weeks, and it's time the church decided to take a stand against this fear! Sin is sin, and we all have it. "Don't judge others because they sin differently than you." Right? That's what we're all about now, isn't it? We can't possibly tell someone that they have sin in their heart, because we're all sinners, so we have no room to judge. Come on church! Get real! We are called to speak the truth in love. We are not called to accept sin as commonplace when God has specifically called it out and said, "I will not tolerate this." But we don't want to ruin our friendship, we don't want to step on toes, we don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.
          Christianity is not about being comfortable. It is about being convicted and being forgiven. It is about grace that is applied to our very real and very deadly sin. Sin is not something to be taken lightly. The charges against us are not against our fellow man; the charges against us are against God -- the one and only true God who created the universe and is completely beyond our comprehension. We are sentenced to eternal death because of our sin. So take notes from the God-fearing examples we have in our Bibles, and stop being afraid to speak the truth to those around you! Their eternal lives are at risk, and you might be their last hope.