Would You Stand for Christ? (Updated from 6/9/2015)

The Denial of Saint Peter - Caravaggio (1610)

"Christians, I want to ask a question and I want you to really think about it.  We hear of our brothers and sisters in Christ getting beheaded etc.  Today, if it was to be here, would you have enough faith to stand for Christ knowing what would be done to you, or would your faith be weak; would you deny Christ because you were scared?  Even a disciple of Christ denied Him because he was scared of what the people would do to him."

-- Pastor Summer Woods

Pastor Summer asks an important question.  It is easy to answer... when you don't have the blade of the knife against your throat.  But, have you really thought about it?  

Have you run through the mental film footage of being roughly thrown to the ground, made to kneel while your hair is grabbed to pull your head back, exposing your neck to an insane fanatic and his razor-sharp blade?  You can smell his fetid breath and feel his spit on your face as he asks you to deny Christ and convert to Islam... or lose your head.  How long will it take you to answer?  How long does it take you to consider the ramifications of your answer?  What if you realize it doesn't matter to him what answer you give.  It might matter quite a bit, however, to your immortal soul.  It probably matters much to God.

But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away, yet I will not." And Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times."

-- Mark 14:29-30

As a career military man, God notwithstanding, I would rather die free than live a slave.  But, God is withstanding.  If you truly have God and Christ in your heart, you will not hesitate to stand firm and resist these invaders, as you will also resist the temptation to deny your God.  To do this there must be no doubt in your heart or faith.  Doubt breeds weakness, and there can be no weakness in your resolve.  Look into the insane eyes of the man about to end your life and say, "Allah, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Hell is surely paved with the souls of religious heretics, and hypocrites.  The question we all must ask is, which are we?  I think the answer lies in those with whom we take a stand.

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

-- Matthew 26:69-75

I only wish my faith was as strong as my willingness to defy tyranny and terror.  I have no doubt that Summer's faith is so much stronger than mine, yet we will both give our lives without denying what we believe.  It sounds a bit over the top, but they're probably going to find a reason to kill you anyway, so you might as well show them how Christians accept their faith.  We should all be as resolute in our faith and resolve.  Summer ended her question, at the beginning of this post, with a statement of faith: 

"Friend, today we need to pray.  We need God’s word in our hearts, not just our minds.  We need our faith built strong in the Lord.  Don't fear man, what man can do, but what God can do.  Build up that faith, put on the full armor of God, and think on that, today. Do you need more strength, more faith?  Go to God!  He will help you!"

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com