The little evangelist sat in her schoolroom next to a classmate whose lunch box was covered with decorations which indicated to her that he didn’t know Jesus, her precious Saviour. Her love for the Lord Jesus and her tender concern for her classmate were deeply stirred. She must tell him about Jesus! She must warn him that if he isn’t saved he can’t go to heaven!
Her teacher, overhearing her earnest words, became quite upset. Pulling the little one aside, she sternly warned her not to talk about her religious beliefs to her classmates. “Besides,” scolded the teacher, “you’re wrong. Everyone is already saved!”
A note was sent home to the parents, asking that they make sure their daughter “understands” that “personal religious beliefs are unacceptable” as conversation in public school.
We’re aware that expressions of public Christian testimonies are, in varying degrees, silenced in lands governed by atheistic beliefs or where the awful darkness of idolatry and Satanic delusion have full sway. But some may think these kinds of things just don’t happen in so-called “Christian lands.” Think again. This event took place a few months ago in a small, conservative community in the midwestern United States a town so conservative that its laws forbid the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in public establishments.
Christians need to listen soberly to the Spirit’s warning in 1 Thessalonians 5:44But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4): “But ye... are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
Many buy and sell today using a piece of paper on which is printed, “In God We Trust.” Yet few believers realize the so-called “Christian” liberties that they take for granted have never been privileges that the church ought to expect. In John 15:1919If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19) the Lord Jesus explains why Christians are hated. This hatred ought not to surprise believers (1 John 3:1313Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1 John 3:13)), for the dark spirit of apostasy is fast sweeping over these well-favored, western lands. May these words, spoken by the Lord Jesus (Matt. 15:88This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (Matthew 15:8), quoted from Isaiah 29:1313Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (Isaiah 29:13)) concerning the religious people of His day, not characterize those who are called by His blessed name in our day! “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.”
Ed.