I have discussed before the issue of tolerance with regards to Christianity versus other religions. In my other articles I have mentioned how, as Christians, we have been forced into a tolerance that has handicapped us in such a devastating way that unless we make some serious changes, we may never see the freedom that Christianity once knew in America. What exactly do I mean?

We have been urged to be tolerant of other religious faiths such as Muslim, Atheist, Buddhism, and other newer evolving religions, as well as cults. We have been forced, or allowed ourselves to be forced into, being tolerant of behaviors that blatantly defy the Law of God, which is what Christianity is based on. Some may argue that all religions are basically the same. They all serve "a" god. They mostly all live by the "golden rule". Most religions teach people to "do" good things and to "be" good people, or "treat" others the way you want to be treated. Okay, are we going to be real here or not?

Is Christianity not the only faith that recognizes we do not get into heaven based on our own merit and deeds? Is Christianity not the only religion that has one God that sacrificed His only Son to save us from from our sins? Is Christianity not the only religion that calls us to accept the gift of Christ's death for us for eternal salvation? Through us accepting that gift we realize that the fruits of the Spirit will flow from the changed heart. We then will be producing more effective examples of good deeds due to the love and honor we have for our God, always desiring to please and honor Him. We will be judged and rewarded additionally based on our deeds once we enter heaven. There is, however, only ONE way to enter the Kingdom of heaven. All of those who deny Christ will perish. What does this mean?

We are here on earth to glorify God and to share His gospel truth with the lost. Now, over the years, we have crippled ourselves by succumbing to the pressures of a secular society to be tolerant of all religions and all behaviors.

In doing so, we have silenced ourselves, our religion, our churches, and most importantly, our God. Is that possible? Is that possible to silence God if He truly is God? Absolutely. Why? How? Because God is a just and fair God, as well as a God who created free will.  He will allow man to act upon his free will receiving the just consequences that are due. So, if we have allowed a secular society to silence Christians, the church, and God, then what do you think will eventually happen to the nation where this has been allowed?

Look at the United States right now. A Christian gets fired for wearing a cross necklace to work as a flight attendant. Yet a Muslim imprisoned in our prison system demands a brand new microwave in his prison cell to ensure no pork products have ever been cooked in the microwave, paid for by American and Christian tax dollars. Is this a little one sided? Contradictory? Confusing? Unfair? What about the school in Richardson, TX that allowed the Muslim students to break from class several times a day to pray to Allah, yet a Christian cannot pray openly or discuss God openly in the public schools. In fact, many sports teams in the public system are being taken to court for praying before games. People are voting to take God out of the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, the courts, schools, etc. If this is not outrageous to you, then you need to sit down and take some time out for self-reflection. You need to decide if you are a Christian and willing to represent Christ and be an ambassador for Him as we are all called to be.

I am finding more and more that everywhere I go, I am encountering more people who claim to be Christians, yet do not attend church regularly, if at all. Many Christians I have met use awful language, partake in activities that are far from what would be "good deeds". So if that is how they are expecting to get into heaven, they have already lost. Thank God that is not the case. However, Christians are called to die to the old self and be born again to a new self. We are called to be born again under the Lordship of our Father, allowing Him to lead and guide us daily.

We will still make mistakes, but our lives overall should be an example to those around us that we have truly made a decision to live our lives for Christ. Ladies should not be dressing in seductive ways that attract the attention of men and boys, and even in some cases, other ladies. A Christian lady has the responsibility of carrying herself in a way that represents Christ. A Christian lady will not wear a short skirt to Sunday School and sit there with her logs crossed allowing her under garments to become a distraction to the entire class, interfering with God's message. She has just become a hindrance to someone else who may not know God, or even someone who does. If she is responsible for that individual not receiving Christ because of her distraction, she will be held accountable. God tells us that we are not to hinder anyone from hearing His truth or being saved.

What about that friend that struggles with alcoholism? Do him a favor and support him. Hold him accountable and be a shield for him. Don't bring him to places where it will be difficult to say no.

Why are parents not bringing their children to church. I met a boy this past week who is a football player in high school. I asked him if he goes to church and he told me that he usually does not wake up in time. I asked him if there was a football game at 4:00am, would he be there? He said without a doubt. He told me that football is his life! I asked him if he believed in God, heaven and hell. He does. I asked him if he thought he was going to heaven. He sadly responded that he was not sure. My heart broke. I asked him if he knew how to be sure he could get into heaven. He too, thought it was by being a good person. Yet, he was just swearing and using God's name in vain, which is how we got on the subject in the first place. So, if he believes that is how you get into heaven, and he wants to go to heaven, then why was he breaking one of the ten commandments? Actually, two. He admitted he doesn't go to church, instead would honestly rather play football, not recognizing the Holy Sabbath. I asked him if he had ever stolen anything in his life, he had. I asked him if he had ever lied about anything, he had. Now he is up to breaking four commandments. He is not doing so well.

Thankfully enough, God has provided us with a gracious gift, the gift of His Son. Through His Son, and only through His Son, can we be saved from our sin. Our conversation was cut short, unfortunately. This is my point. Why are we as Christians so afraid to share this good news with people? I do not get it. We are so afraid of people not liking us. We are so afraid of people not talking to us anymore. We are so afraid of being laughed at or cast out of social groups. We are so afraid of the unknown. We are so afraid of what the other person might say. We are so afraid of hurting someone's feelings. Can we not see the bigger picture here? Can we not see the ultimate picture? If your neighbor's house was on fire in the middle of the night, would you stand back, out of fear that if you went over there they might get mad? Of course not! You wouldn't care. Because you are on the outside looking in. You have the truth. You know the end result. If you don't warn them, you know that they will die in that fire. However, because you know this, you run over there, ring the doorbell, bang on the door, even bust the door down if that is what it takes to get them out safely! Isn't sharing the truth about God and heaven the same thing? We are armed with the truth. We know the end result. We know the answer. We are on the outside looking in. Should we not share the good news with those that are lost around us? If we get made fun of, laughed at, turned away, or ignored, it does not matter. Our job is to plant the seed. Our job is to notify them of the fire. We are to share with them the opportunity for safety and security through Christ Jesus. We are to share it in love with courage and wisdom through the Spirit of God.

The focus must come off of us. It is not about us. There is a much bigger picture. For us there is no time table. For when we pass away, we simply pass away onto eternity with Christ in heaven. For those who are lost, they will pass on to an eternity in hell. There is no time limit other than the point of physical death. Death of the physical being, when our bodies transfer into a spiritual being. Because we do not know when our physical death will happen, nor judgment, we must act swiftly and urgently. Time does not end and turn black and void. Time is of the essence for really one main thing. That is sharing the truth with the lost before their physical death and then judgment. If the lost do not hear the truth, what will happen to them? Do you not feel burdened for the ones you love? What about this high school boy? Where are his parents? Do they care about his eternity? Do they believe in God and heaven and hell? Who in your life do you know that does not believe in God and you have been afraid to share the truth with them? What is it exactly that you are afraid of? Isn't it time? Isn't it time to quit suffering from Christian Fear? Isn't it time to strengthen America again, one person at a time? It would not take long at all if every Christian were to share the truth with one lost person everyday. Isn't it time? Put a stop to Christian Fear!