Are we strong enough to be Christians?

1 Corinthians 16:13 & 14 (NLT) states: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."

Fellow Americans, are we strong enough to be Christians? Many of us profess that we are, but how many of us really are? The Word of the Lord says: "Who can command things to happen without the Lord's permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead let us examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord."

Indeed, "all our enemies have spoken out against us. We are filled with fear, for we are trapped, devasteated and ruined."

So we ask ourselves, are we strong enough to be Christians? As we face "global terrorism" and we try to understand "why they hate us," the more important question is how have we offended Thee, our Lord and our God."

Could it be our strategy of preemptive strike that has caused offense? Oh that man would remember the Word of God. For it is written: "I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them."

Is there even one amongst you who will repent, that America might be saved? Is there anyone amongst you who is strong enough to be Christian?

Where are the ones who will "wait CONFIDENTLY for God to save" them? Who will trust that our God will certainly hear our prayers?

Mr. President, as St. Paul states in Romans 13:1, you are indeed placed in your capacity by God. And you, Sir carry a great responsibility. And while opinion polls may appear to matter, the greater approval is that of our Lord. You will face judgment not only for your personal life, but also for how you led the lives of His people. As the leader of the "free world" that entails not only America, but all people who aspire to freedom.

What is freedom? Freedom is not democracy. But, "He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins." It is with the blood of Christ - it is with His love and self-sacrifice that we won our freedom. It is with the self-sacrifice of those who follow Him, that others will be brought to freedom.

May the Holy Spirit touch your heart that you conform to the likeness of Christ. For how do you dare profane the Name of Christ, by stating your love for preemption. Are we Christians or are we Jews?

It is the Jew who believes in "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." But since Love came to the world, revealed to us by our Lord Jesus Christ, this is not so. For He has commanded that we "do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." We ought to "make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

Our Lord did not command us to make preemptive stikes and to take matters into our own hands! Rather He said, "love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?...If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

So, are we strong enough to be Christians? Or will all remain in darkness? We who proclaim the name of Christ know that our God is love, and that He commands love. We are not like the world who loves only those who love them first. We are like our God, Who "showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

He with Whom we were at war, first love us. And, it is because of that, that we love Him. Likewise, whomever be at war with us, will come to love us only if we first love them. My heart pours out for you, America to the God of our fathers, the saints and the martyrs who gladly shed their blood for the faith. May He continue to be gracious unto us. May He continue to spare us from His wrath. May He come speadily unto us and save us from our sin. Amen.