(If you’re pressed for time, or your patience with too many words wears thin, please just skip to the end after the dividing line)
Last year, the Lord began to speak to me about how reaping what we sow (Galatians 6:7) does not only refer to acts of commission, but also acts of omission. In other words we do not only reap what we do to others, but we will fail to reap what we fail to do for others. (What some call “karma” is just the world’s way of trying to understand this Biblical truth of reaping what we sow).
The Sunday after the Lord was showing me this, our pastor quoted this famous passage by pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the tragic deception and/or cowardice of those who blindly went along with the Nazis’ rise to power and their subsequent persecution and annihilation of one group after another.” ~
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Certainly we can apply this principle to our mandate to speak out on behalf of the unborn, those in bondage in the sex trafficking industry, other social injustices, and even to speak the truth in love to those lost in the deception of sin. But the Lord recently brought this subject back up to us several times in reference to much of the church’s neglect of speaking out for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world while we have the freedom to do so. One of these confirmations included this chilling warning which refers to things we believe the Lord has warned us of in His messages in the past years calling the church to repentance:
“I warned the church this day was coming, but when the Christians in America didn’t scream about our brothers and sisters being slaughtered and imprisoned in third world nations, I felt the Holy Ghost say, ‘Because my people would not stand up against that spirit behind it worldwide they will not be able to stand up against it when that spirit comes to this country,’ and that spirit’s coming to this country. … The slaughter that is planned for the Christians in this land…I have asked the Lord to raise up people that can stand, intercessors, people that will praise like Jehoshaphat and even like Queen Esther. If people had an understanding of what’s planned, plotted, and the scheme for their demise they’d be on their faces crying out for the Lord’s power, purpose, and protection.” ~ Steve Quayle
“Think about this. America has the power to crush the terrorists of the world, but we do not have the will. The terrorists of the world have the will to crush us, and soon, if not already, they will have the power to do it. The righteous must stand up and defend the innocent from those who seek to harm them. …If we don’t wake up and defend the innocent, we too will become victims.” ~ John Hagee
James 4:17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” NIV
• “The moment we receive light and information from the Lord we become responsible for what we learn from Him.
• The sin of omission is as severe as the sin we commit.
• We ought to take it seriously when the Lord teaches us and grow to be responsible to obey Him in all things that He enlightens us.”
“Prayer: Father I thank you that you are the Lord of light and that Your word teaches me and enlightens me. Help me to obey and do all that You ask of me that I will not sin against You by mere omission or even committing things that are wrong. Thank You for Your grace today. Amen.” ~ Ed Traut
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This morning I received this message from the ACLJ –
“Yesterday marked one year since Iran convicted and sentenced American Pastor Saeed for his Christian faith. One year of beatings, isolation from his family, and worsening medical conditions. But yet there is a renewed hope. Iran’s foreign minister has stated that “clemency” could be possible for Pastor Saeed – allowing for his release. This is the first positive sign we have seen from the Iranian regime and comes on the heels of improved prison conditions for Pastor Saeed.”
We must act now to build on this momentum of hope for Pastor Saeed’s freedom. In less than 24 hours, over 45,000 have signed our new petition urging Iran to give Pastor Saeed clemency and release him. But we need to hear from you now. Now is the time to speak with one voice. Iran, grant clemency.
Send Pastor Saeed home. Please sign the petition here: http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign
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Please not only sign, but let’s continue to intercede for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world and ask the Lord to show us ways to stand up for them and let our voices be heard!
“Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.” Proverbs 31:8
