“The Christian Intelligence Agency (CIA)”:
Time for Christians to Come Out of the Closet. Everyone else has!
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life (John 5:24)
I read an article the other day by a man named Greg Morse, and in the article, he described a dream and said that two words haunted him. "Never since have so few words haunted me.” In the dream, a man sat on a balcony before the judgment seat of God. Two magnificent, powerful, scary beings dragged another man before the throne. The man fell in terror. All shivered as the Almighty God pronounced judgment upon him. As powerful beings took the quaking man away, the man recognized the man being taken away. He saw his face — a face he knew well. He said he grew up with this man. He played sports with this man, went to his wedding and school together, and were friends in this life — yet here he stood, alone in death. The man had a look of indescribable horror. All he could say, as they took him away and dragged him to hell— in a terrifying voice, I cannot forget — "You knew?" You Knew!
Now I want you to picture your friends, relatives, and loved ones. Asking you the same question. Who knew? Well, you knew. Why were you Chosen?
A recent survey from the Barna Group states that nearly half of all self-professed Christian millennials believe it's wrong to share their faith with close friends and family members of different beliefs. This is what our society has taught them. Religion is private, and you don't want to offend someone. On a side note, do you believe that the socialists, secularists, and Marxists have taught our Millennial generation that it is offensive to talk about our faith? It sounds like something from the great deceiver's playbook, Old Lou is "playin" you. Satan creates this dynamic! In this survey, on average, these millennials had four close, non-believing loved ones — think about it; four eternal souls — that would not hear the gospel from them because it's private, personal, don't say it too loud, whisper. “Christianity is private; it got to be a secret.” Sadly, we are becoming the Christian Intelligence Agency (CIA). Time for Christians to come out of the closet. Everyone else has; we might as well if you think about it in all seriousness. What a horror! Can you imagine seeing your friends and loved ones dragged into the abyss? We, as the chosen, must change this dynamic. There is a reason that we were chosen.
The Apostle Paul writes in the Book of Romans: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10: 13-15)
Yes, indeed, we are chosen. Why were we chosen because God loves us! And yes, you are getting a magnificent big mansion built by the most excellent carpenter of all time, and yes, you get to have eternal life. With this great reward comes great responsibility. You are chosen to be a Disciple. Not to hide or cower or cede souls to Satan! Jesus has called all of those who are Christians to be Disciples! Yes, everyone, He has chosen. Think of all the souls saved when the "Chosen Disciples" focus on their inner circle of friends, family, and loved ones. Not everyone will preach, not everyone will be Billy Graham, and not everyone will go to "Carjackistan" and be a missionary. Indeed, your feet are required to "Bring Good News." Being a Christian is not like working undercover in the Central Intelligence Agency.
Consider what comes to mind when you think about a politician, a Pro football player, or a teacher. Odds are you have a specific idea with each. When you hear the word, Christian, what comes to mind? Odds are you associate that word with characteristics as well. American society also forms impressions of a Christian and whether or not they are one. The first followers of Jesus didn't call themselves Christians. It was a derogatory term used by people outside of the faith. The name Christian was first used in the book of Acts when Barnabas and Paul attended Antioch Church.
The word Christian is used three times in the Bible; the word disciple is used 281 times. Being a Disciple is a far more accurate and compelling description of what it means to be chosen and follow Jesus. That is the sad reality we face today in America: we need Christians to be Disciples. Remember what it said in the survey? "Nearly half of all self-professed Christian millennials believe it's wrong to share their faith with close friends and family members of different beliefs." We must focus on being Disciples—All of Us to change that.
Being a Disciple is why He chose you and me! Indeed, you are chosen just as Jesus chose His Disciples. Do you think any of Jesus' Disciples were qualified? Remember, God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Imagine the revival in America if Christians were to come out of the closet and be Disciples to your inter-circle of friends and family. GO BOLD, Disciples!
Thank Brother Kemp!!!