Wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts.
“
| — | 1 Corinthians 4:5 |
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
“
| — | Timothy 3:1-5,7 |
Obama Administration: We Can and Will Force Christians to Act Against Their Faith
The Obama administration is making a two-fold argument for why it can force Christians to act against their faith in complying with the regulation it has issued under the Obamacare law that requires virtually all health care plans to cover, without co-pay, sterilizations, contraceptives, and abortion-inducing drugs.
The first argument the administration makes against the owners of Hobby Lobby is that Americans lose their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion when they form a corporation and engage in commerce. A person’s Christianity, the administration argues, cannot be carried out through activities he engages in through an incorporated business.
The second argument the administration makes to justify forcing Christians to act against their faith is more sweeping. Here the administration argues it can force a person to act against his religion so long as the coercion is done under the authority of a law that is neutral and generally applicable—in other words, as long as the law was not written specifically to persecute Christians as Christians, the government can use that law to persecute Christians.
“Remember the word that I said to you…If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…because they do not know Him who sent Me.” - John 15:18-21
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” - Matthew 5:10-12
“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.” - Luke 21:12
As the nation approaches the much publicized fiscal cliff, it also approaches a moral cliff: Will the Obama administration compel Christians to act against their faith? As of now, the answer seems plain: Starting Tuesday, it will.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
“
| — | Ephesians 6:12 |
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the good news.
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| — | 2 Corinthians 4:4 |
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
“
| — | 1 John 5:19 |
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans (Saint Nicholas), which I also hate.
“
| — | Revelation 2:6 |
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
“
| — | Jeremiah 10:2-6 |
Brother will betray brother to be killed, and fathers will betray children; and children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
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| — | Mark 13:12 |
And you shall hear rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to a pass, but the end is not yet.
“
| — | Matthew 24:6 |
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
“
| — | Jeremiah 10:2-6 |
