Can we stay silent?

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps". I Peter 2:21, KJV

I intend to hit an issue that has been completely and totally ignored by the Church. An issue that is killing millions every year around the world. An issue that will not be popular among most of you who read this blog. However I've decided that I'm not going to use my voice to gain your approval, and I'm not going to use my voice to gain popularity. I'm not sure of the preacher's name that made this statement, but he hit the nail on the head. "Well why in God's Name do you expect to be accepted everywhere?"

This issue is Aids, particularly in Africa. It's an issue that people love to ignore, love to turn a cold cheek to, love to make theories up that justify ignoring it. But as Christians, as the Church of the Most High God we can not just ignore this issue.

You say "oh well they have Aids because of their lifestyle" yes they do and no they don't. Some rape, some are raped, some are born with it, some are just plain sexually perverted, but you know what, I don't care how they got it. Even if it is their lifestyle Christ loves them no less. It's our lifestyle that made/makes us worthy of Hell. We deserve hell, everyone of us, but as Relient K put it "the beauty of grace is that it makes life un-fair". Even though we absolutely deserve hell that's not what God wants for us and He has provided a way out. If you don't believe we should show grace to sinners then you're a hypocrite and you don't know what grace is. Stop using the fact that they may be sinners as a reason to not help them, if it is not right to help sinners then why did Jesus die for us?

You may say there are more important political issues, oh really? No, there might be issues that they say are more important, but who are they and why are we listening to them? Over 2 million deaths a year in Africa from Aids I'd say that's pretty important wouldn't you? There might be more deaths from abortion, but at this rate it won't take Aids long to catch up. And why in blue-blazes does one issue make another insignificant? It doesn't, the only thing that's insignificant is the amount of attention this epidemic is getting.

"Money won't stop Aids in Africa." No it won't, but that's no excuse not to help. That money will show those Africans the love of Christ, and according to John 13:35 it is by loving one another that people will know we are Christians. And if we're living right we will be a reflection of Christ. We have a chance to show the love of God to these people, and God is the only one who can heal Africa.

I'm going to be frank here. The reason many of you do not care about Aids in Africa is because stopping this epidemic it is not endorsed by a political party. Dear Lord give us a backbone if our every decision is based on party lines. Stop using your political party as an excuse to be inactive, stop putting loyalty to party above loyalty to God.

"Well there are poor people here." How poor? You know how many 'poor' people there are that own computers and cars and houses in America? And even if you own nothing, here there are homeless shelters and soup kitchens. The poor of Africa has nothing. The orphanages are generally crowded and the hospitals financially strapped and undermanned. We need to quit ignoring the issue.

I hope some of you feel convicted after this, I know I do. I know many of you will condemn me, argue with me, try to tell me I'm wrong. Whatever, let partisan politics be your god if that's what you choose. But this is something everyone needs to reach out in, regardless of political stance. I have decided I can be silent no longer.

Some Religious and Political Thoughts.

Alright, this might not be the kind of blog you are accostomed to, but I like to think outside the box.

1. You do not have to be a Republican to be a Christian. I am more conservative I will grant, but I think many people are turned away from Christianity because they think you have to belong to a certain political party or something like that. What is required to be saved is outlined by the Romans Road.

2. Being in the Republican Party does not make you a Christian, being an American does not make you a Christian, your parents being Christians does not make you a Christian. Only you can decide to follow Jesus for yourself. I can't decide for you, your parents can't decide for you, and your political party can't decide for you.

3. Everyone has sinnned, at one point or another we've all messed up and sinned. To prove my point stand up, read through this list, and if you've ever done any of the things mentioned below sit down (you can't stand back up once you are down):

* If you've committed idolatry sit down
* If you've ever stolen anything, of any size sit down
* If you've ever disobeyed your parents sit down
* If you've ever murdered someone sit down

(Still standing?)

* If you've ever told a lie sit down
* If you've ever coveted sit down
* If you've had sex outside of marriage sit down
* If you've ever lusted sit down
* If you've ever taken the Lord's name in vain sit down
* If you haven't loved God with all your heart soul strength and mind sit down.

Are you sitting down? The Bible says "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). So at this point do you agree you've sinned? Do you know what the punishment for sin is? "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a). Not just physical death, but spiritual death, eternal death in hell. Now obviously we don't want to burn for eternity, and God doesn't want us to either. We have all sinned and deserve this punishment "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23b) And God's gift of eternal life is only through Jesus. There is no other way to receive this gift.

How do I receive this gift? I'm so glad you asked! Romans 10:9-10 says "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in you heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." So what you must do is "repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). So accept you are a sinner, repent of your sins and turn from them, believe on Jesus and confess Him as Lord and you will be saved! Then find a good Bible-preaching church and a Christian mentor who can show you how to walk the walk, and spend time in God's Word!

God bless you all!