While in college, I was personally singled out by my professor regarding the illogical stance of Christianity in a reason and religion class for the entire duration of the semester. It was such a pointed attack and weekly debate, that when I was late to class one day, the class was actually delayed until I could arrive–seeing as I was the one to speak on behalf of Christianity. The professor, a once Christian turned atheist, took sincere pride in trying to derail the claims of the Holy Bible and Jesus Christ as a whole.
Yet, despite his efforts to silence Christians and turn believers in Jesus Christ into atheists at best or agnostics at worst, the opposite affect was birthed. Through weekly phone calls to my pastor at Evangelical Free Church at the time, Pastor Worthington, began an equipping in Christian apologetics against such hate speech on a university campus. And as a result, a love for the defense of the faith of Christianity grew deep within me…and that professor, took note that I enjoyed and genuinely welcomed the debate in a lecture hall of close to 200 students. And in the end, the professor’s attack was silenced by the truth of God’s Word.
With college now ten years behind me, why would I bring this up??? Ladies and Gentlemen, if you are not aware, the culture of America has grown increasingly HOSTILE toward the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And this was made most evident in our own family a few months ago with our own SIX YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHILE AT HER PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN.
While in social centers, our daughter (who accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior while we lived in the Middle East) turned to her friend–during a time where talking was permitted and stated “Jesus loves you.” The response of the hired adult leading the table was quick and audible to the entire class. “RUTH, YOU CANNOT SPEAK OF THE NAME OF JESUS HERE AT SCHOOL. YOU CANNOT SPEAK OF JESUS HERE.”
When my daughter shared this with me, I called our local church for prayer before going into the school immediately to address the matter directly. As many of you recall, I also sent out a mass text asking for prayer and the Lord’s guidance. I was able to speak to the individual as well as the principal. The individual apologized and I made a point that my daughter would also receive an apology…in my presence. This was done outside the classroom while my daughter sat on my knee. After the individual apologized, I asked my daughter, “What do we say?” Our 6 year old daughter took a deep breath and looked this individual straight in the eyes as her small and gentle voice rang forth, “I forgive you.”
In addition, the principal went on to say that the “separation of church and state” as stated by the individual was COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE AND MISUNDERSTOOD. I continued to point back to the 1st amendment of the United States Constitution and the fact that MY HUSBAND AS A U.S. SOLDIER has fought to defend the right of our children to be able to speak freely upon school grounds in America–be them public or private. The principal agreed that I was fully in the right and stated that SHE WAS GOING TO CALL A MEETING OF HER ENTIRE STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT SUCH CONFLICTS DO NOT ARISE IN THE FUTURE.
IN FACT, the principal went on to state that a teacher UNDER LAW indeed has the legal right to answer the question of a student regarding religion. I stated that if teachers were allowed to dress as witches on campus during Halloween, and the Grinch was promoted at Christmas, then YOU BET my daughter is able to say “Jesus loves you” to a friend at a social center.
My husband and I could not be more sincerely proud of our little girl. She took a stand for Jesus Christ her Savior, and was able to have an impact on an entire school! PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!
–Why do I share this tonight? Why now?–
Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time that we OPEN OUR EYES to the realities of our day in America. The very fabric that our nation was founded on is fraying…and what are we, as believers in Jesus Christ doing about it? I implore you, DO NOT BE SILENT…take a stand for Jesus Christ…and it will inspire others to do the same. The time is here to WAKE UP CHURCH…It’s time to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and remember “our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the dark powers and rulers of the air”…yet, take heart…because Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). WE CANNOT BE SILENT…SPEAK OUT FOR THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST IN LOVE…AND DON’T FORGET THE TRUTH.