Called to Speak up for Jesus....

The body of Christ. The body of Christ is made up of people from different countries in the world, from all races - it matters not what the color of your skin is, male and female, rich and poor, we come with a vast range of gifts and experiences.

 Romans 12: 4-6 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 What joins us together is Christ Jesus our Savior. With this thought as a background, I question the message of a speaker I heard recently - speaking in my church. I agree with some of what he said but not entirely. He suggested that we should not be one issue Christians. That is completely true and I doubt that any of us really are "one issue Christians" except of course for the fact that Jesus alone saves each of us as individuals. I felt like the speaker was trying to silence those who strongly stand for the truth of the Bible regarding sin issues. In his list of  so called  "one issue" concerns, he listed taking a stand against violence, homosexuality,and immodest dress, etc. as well as the discussions around end times and the coming of our our Lord Jesus.  His list was quite extensive.

I believe that as Christians, God has sent each of us out to be a witness for Him and to seek to win souls for His Kingdom. But I also believe that God has gifted each one of us to use the experiences in our life to speak up for the issues that matter to Him. This includes standing strong against the homosexual agenda, against violence ,against pornography, etc and also to speak up for issues that He lays on our hearts. I believe God lays something on each one of our hearts that becomes our "issue" that we are called upon to stand for and speak up about - and we are NOT to let anyone SILENCE us as we speak up about that which God has called us to speak about. 

In my community the issue of homosexuality is a hot topic right now. The government is pushing it to become an accepted lifestyle, using the public school system to influence our children. This is despicable and many Christian parents in our area and in our church are opposing the homosexual agenda and are taking a stand. Of course this brings divisions and it is even felt in the church. I believe this is why the speaker in my church was using his place of authority and power to try  to silence the opposition that these parents are bringing to meetings etc. This is kind of upsetting.

In my own personal life, I also have some issues that I feel God has called me to take a stand for. This also can be traced back to experiences in my life.God can use what you and I have gone through to help and encourage other who find themselves in similar situations.  The issues that I have been called to include standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves - those with disabilities and and handicaps. I believe God has called me to be a voice for them  so when the opportunity arises, I try to speak up. This is one of my passions because of the fact that I have a daughter who has down syndrome and she cannot express herself verbally very much. If someone mistreats her, she cannot defend herself. There are many other people in this world with disabilities who need someone  to help others understand that they are real people with real feelings and real needs and need to be loved and accepted as they are.

Another issue I take a stand against is abortion. I believe life begins at conception. Due to the premature death of one of my children while still within my womb, I have experienced death through the death of my unborn child. I can honestly say I could feel in my spirit that the spirit of my child had departed from within my womb. This was well before the doctor did any tests. So I take a stand against abortion.

So if the Lord has allowed you to experience a trial or has laid a burden on your heart for a certain issue - please be faithful to the Lord and speak up for Him. Don't let others silence you even if the one trying to silence you is close family or a close friend or even someone in your church!

God bless.

Romans 12: 4- 10⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;