Let'em Go in Love!

"Those wascally wabbits over at the Berean Call" just posted another current events article on "De-Baptism" that is very interesting. (The link is here.)

De-Baptism Gains a Following in Britain [Excerpts]
More than 100,000 former Christians have downloaded "certificates of de-baptism" in a bid to publicly renounce the faith, according to the London-based National Secular Society (NSS).

It seems that several campaigns are afoot around the world asking people to publicly disavow the faith they no longer practice or believe. These campaigns encourage people to request that their names be withdrawn from church membership roles. They’re on the internet, Facebook, etc., etc. promoting this cause.

The purpose seems to be to reduce the political and social power of churches who use their "large memberships" as a tool for political power. The Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches in particular seem targeted, but there is no reason these campaigns would stop there, given the adamant atheist agendas their web sites present.

As a testimony to the general increasing Godlessness of our societies, the article is disturbing. My initial reaction was negative. Then I started to think this through…

What if churches were forced to focus on impacting the world by changing lives, rather than trying to change Congress?

What if people were confronted with the difference between a church membership and a person who has a relationship with their Savior?

What if we were to get some help destroying the illusion that there is a comfortable fence you can rest between being lost versus being a follower?

Our fear is that people will be lost, that people will go to Hell. If this is truly our concern, then who should we be more concerned about than those who are under the illusion that they are saved, when they are really lost?

"These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."

- Revelation 3:14-18

It concerns us to see the world becoming more and more antagonistic to Christianity. In our fear, we sometimes error by turning to political influence and worldly help rather than to Our Lord for protection. But things are working out as God understood and confirmed to us:

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

- Matthew 24:9-14

The world will hate us, but we don't have to be afraid. God is always was and always will be in control:

"But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."

- Genesis 50:19-21

These folks behind these campaigns believe that they are "striking a blow against God's followers" and "declaring their independence from God." And in doing so they may perform a great service for those who are known by His name. Hilariously, (at least to me,) a South American group with one such agenda actually adapted the slogan "No En Mi Nombre!" which means "Not in My Name!" Out of the mouths of babes...

"The Lord works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster."

- Proverbs 16:4

And yet, above all, we live in hope. It puts kind of a hopeful spin on that wonderful passage from Hosea where God adopts the rejected children:

“In that day I will respond,” declares the Lord— “I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’

I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’ ”

- Hosea 2:21-23

Thank you, Lord!