Christianity with room to roam under man's domain cannot remain true.                         by: Mark S. Case

America has long enjoyed the freedom to declare the gospel message of Christianity.  For most of our privileged history, this has been both protected and even encouraged.  However, under that guarded freedom to proclaim the good news, the gospel message has evolved into a mere common commodity.  It is so common in fact, that it is downright cheap – like penny stocks.  We have succumbed to the dangers of Christianity's room to roam under man’s domain.  We now have man's Christianity.  Rather than men and women taking advantage of the opportunity to walk in the likeness of Jesus Christ, they have taken license to walk in the flesh.  God's Christianity has evolved into man’s Christianity.

In the same way that we like ice cream, almost everyone likes Christianity as long as they can have it in their preferred flavor.  For many, it has become the fad of the day.  Crosses are commonly worn like a charm – so much so that the world has no idea what it really means.  If they did, they wouldn’t wear it.  Many churches are little more than concert halls with stages where positive thinkers and shallow psychiatrists hold pep rallies for the modern teens and the troubled masses – all in the name of Jesus.  Some people do have a general idea of what Christianity is, but few understand what it really means; and fewer still are truly Christian.

Let us not blame this shameful situation on the world, the congress, the courts, or the President.  It is not the fault of Islamic terrorists, the New Agers, or Hollywood.  It is the fault of those who claim His name.  We are the ones who have failed to portray Him as He really is.  We are the ones to blame.  At the great expense of the truth of the gospel, we have chosen rather to be like the world.  We have lost our salt and light.  Rather than remaining a safe distance from the world while in the world, we have enjoined ourselves to it – not willing to forsake its pleasures. 

Now we are losing that freedom to openly proclaim and to live His message, but it is too late for tears.  Like Esau, we have sold our birthright - the freedom to “shout from the housetops” for a cup of soup.  Pretty soon, we will only be able to share in the corners.  As bad as it may seem this will actually work to the advantage of those who really want to become like Him.

We must realize that throughout Christian history, true Christianity has been healthier when under the opposition of government and society.  This does not mean that Christianity has necessarily grown in numbers under repressive regimes, but it HAS remained true for the most part.  A few who remain true are better than a multitude who are false.  Contrary to popular belief, the new wave of opposition that we are about to experience in our American Christian experience will be good for the faith.  The numbers will thin out, but the few who remain will remain true. 

May Jesus Christ be praised as He really is!  I long to see that day!