Persecution Blog today has a post that asks an interesting question:
If you said something on your website about your own personal beliefs and had someone tell you to apologize for it – would you?
It goes on to talk about two pastors who were accused of "vilifing" muslims who were persecuted under the Victorian hate speech law. What did they do? Well, it turns out that they simply told everyone to "love Muslims."
Fredric has this to say in the comments:
Don't apologize! The law is wrong. If this is paid and followed, it is denying God and His Word. We see so many unwilling to back down for their beliefs here on this site ans suffer. If jail is all they face, then the pastors should not buckle, the church should rally behind them and a voice cry out against this.
I agree. Don't back down! Brothers and Sisters, so many believers are in chains around the world–yes, even today. They are standing up for the Truth. What makes us think it cannot happen here (here=wherever you are)? Chances are, it will eventually happen. We must decide today what we will do when that happens. So, my answer to this question is:
if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)
This brings up another interesting point. Americans, what if you are in a foreign country and the government tells you you cannot serve God? What would your answer be? Why do I ask? It turns out that China seems to be cracking down on more and more Americans too. Just so you know, my answer would be the same as above: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Why would I take such a stand? Why would I be willing to die for Christ? Well, to me, it isn't about dying for Christ…it is about LIVING for Christ. God doesn't "call" people to die for Him; however, if in living for Him that is what we have to do to not deny God then that is what it takes. God "owns" me. He paid dearly for my life through the blood of His Son. Since I have already given my life to Him to do with as He pleases, it is just a matter of keeping on.