Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
Immediately after the attack on America on September 11, 2001, there was a sudden and enormous increase in references to "God" by public officials. Unfortunately, and in keeping with this generation's fear of speaking truth if some may be offended by it, public officials failed to make it clear which god's protection they were invoking. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who raised this nation up out of a wilderness to incredible heights of power and wealth was not once specifically mentioned, as far as I can tell, but only mentioned in vague ways which, if questioned about it, could easily be denied. The precious name of Jesus is avoided in public like the plague by this country's elected officials, from the President downward. Public respect toward the name of Jesus is the very reason God richly blessed this nation and Western Civilization in general. What, then, can we expect to be the result of this modern embarrassment to acknowledge His Son in public?
The arrogant confidence in military victory exhibited by the pundits and political leaders over the many enemies of this nation is founded upon faith in superior technology and weaponry. But we are taught in the holy Bible that "Safety is of the Lord." The "Lord" from whom all safety springs is the Father of the Lord Jesus, who now is routinely dishonored by the nation in which he was once publicly praised and respected.
In the days after the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11th, 2001, the word "God" was mentioned so much that it was nauseating. The cowardice of Christians to confess the name of Jesus publicly was obvious and revolting. After hearing the generic word, "god", a hundred times, my weary spirit cried out, "God who?" There are, as the Apostle Paul said, "gods many and lords many". I wanted to know to which god all those public officials were referring! What is his name? What has he ever done that men should love or fear him? How does he demand that men live?
"Whosoever shall confess me before men," Jesus said, "him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 10:32-33).
"But Jesus, some people will become angry if we speak your name in front of them. They will say that we are narrow-minded and that we think we are the only ones right. And some of my own relatives will be very upset with me."
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Mt. 10:34-36).
"But Lord, I love my family."
" He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Mt. 10:37).
"But Jesus, if I mention your name in public, I won't win re-election next year, and you know how valuable I am to you in my position as Governor. I can do a lot of good for you as long as I stay in office."
"And me too, Jesus! Do you realize how valuable I am to you in my position as President?"
"Oh yes, I know exactly how valuable you are to me. My, my! It is difficult to imagine how I managed to hold the universe together before you came along to help me. What a great relief it was to see you born! Would you mind keeping the earth turning and the sun shining for a few hours so that I can finally get some rest? "You blind guides! Now, it is my turn. Answer me. Do you know how valuable I am to you in my position as your Master?" (There is no Bible verse for this, but Jesus must have thought it a thousand times in response to man's stubborn pride.)
To mention God in public is apparently coming into vogue again-as long as the god mentioned is a generic one who demands nothing and knows nothing about sin. But to be ashamed or afraid to mention publicly the holy name of Jesus is to demonstrate lack of faith in the only true God there is. Such cowardice is a hallmark of a sinful generation.
Jesus is Lord of all. There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved from both sin and the coming wrath of God.
I won't win an election to public office by saying such things, but then, that is not the race I am interested in winning. How about you?