How precious
is the Name of Jesus Christ to you?
By Jason Lovelace
Dear Ones,
In the last recent
months and couple of years, we have seen how the world -- especially the
United States of America -- has changed with regards to Islam, and its
founder, Mohammad. In the last year alone, we have seen how the person of
Mohammad has been so radically defended by those who claim to be Islamic.
From the demonization of Denmark because of the infamous Mohammad cartoons
run by a Danish Newspaper, to the Pope being burned in effigy because of
true remarks made by him in reference to a medieval Byzantine Emperor who
made some quotes about Islam and the Qu'Ran, to Us Colleges, Universities,
Public Schools, Newspapers, TV News and Programs, Movies, Books, et. al. who
have come to tip-toe around Islam and Mohammad for fear of offending
Muslims. Yet, how is the United states doing with regards to America's most
prominent Faith, Christianity?
Think about it this question,
folks: How precious is the Name of Jesus Christ to you?
Also: How precious is the Name of
Jesus Christ to the United States, especially US Media outlets?
How many of us
Christians have -- night after night, TV Program after TV Program, Movie
after Movie -- accepted what Media has to say about Jesus Christ, and how
they use his Name? You see, Muslims gat Up In Arms when even one sentence
condemning Mohammad or Allah is printed or spoken. How many of us get up in
arms when we see Jesus Christ and/or His Name being dragged through the mud,
used as a curse word....or worse (read: James Cameron's latest "Documentary"
about allegedly finding Jesus' bones in a sarcophagus in the Middle East, The
Last Temptation of Jesus Christ, or The DaVinci Code)?
When was the last time
you were sickend by what Hollywood and the Media in the United States? That
moment came for me a few nights ago while watching Mrs. Doubtfire
(a so-called "Family" Film), where, in the space of less than thirty
minutes, God's name was taken in vain three times, including once by a
child. In the past, my choice, when Jesus' Name was taken in vain or God's
name was used to damn someone, was to get up and leave the room (if it
wasn't in my house) or turn off the movie/TV (if it happened in my house).
Growing up, if either of those names -- Jesus' or God's -- were used as a
curse, Dad had the habit of telling us to turn off the TV or stop the
video...and if it were a video and we didn't turn it off immediately, the
video went flying across the room, the consequences falling on us if it was
a rented one.
How much do you care about the Name of
Jesus Christ? How much does His Name mean to you? Is his name the only
Name through which man can find salvation to you, or is the Name of Jesus
Christ and God merely the latest joke in the popular-running sitcom or
movie?
Many of you have sent me well-meaning
and deep forwards, of which, just about all of them have given me a lot ot
think about. Many of these forwards have come with the closing line "I this
means something to you, you will forward it to X amount of people." This
message to you isn't one like that. You can forward it if you wish, or you
can delete it. My request is as follow:
(1.) The Next Time you are watching a
Video, a DVD, a Movie, or a Cable TV Show, and "Jesus Christ" or "God" is
used in any other way except in honor, think about how that particular usage
affecs you. Does it make you sick? Does it make you laugh? Does it make
you want to get up and leave the room? Does it have no affect at all?
(2.) When you hear "Jesus Christ" or
"God" used as a curse, replace it with you wife's/husband's/significant
other's/child's/parent's/ name? Now how do you feel?
(3.) Think about how God's name or
Jesus Name is being used as if he were right there with you, because guess
what, friends? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, he really IS right
there with you. Remember how it felt when you were doing something you knew
was terrible and Mom and/or Dad caught you in the act? Does that same
feeling come when you hear God's or Jesus' name used as a slur?
(4.) Remember how the Muslims are
reacting when Allah, Mohammad, or Islam are defamed. I am not saying
Christians should be violent. I am saying that we need to get some
backbone, and take a stand when Jesus and God and their names are used in
dishonorable ways. If the Muslims can get riled and stand up for a pagan,
false god, how can we not do moreso for the Name of Jesus Christ, the name
who gives eternal life to all who will receive?
(5.) The next time you
are invited to watch a movie, a video, or a DVD, and you hear Jesus' Name or
God's Name used as a curse, walk out. That's it. Simply get up from where
you are sitting, and walk out. This will give a good chance to witness to
unbelievers, becasue they will ask why you are leaving or why you left.
Further, mark those actors/actresses who use God's or Jesus' names
inappropriately, because if they do it once in a movie, chances are, they'll
do it again.
(6.) The next time you have a movie in
your home, either by way of DVD, Video, or Cable/Satellite TV, and you hear
God's name or Jesus' Name being used dishonorably, turn off the TV/DVD-Video
player, or change the channel. If guests are at your house and this
happens, again, you can explain why you did it. If there is protest from
anyone, kindly explain to them how much Jesus Christ means to you. If there
is still protest, politely show your guests the door.
(7.) Pray and ask God for help in
this, because the Enemy will always find ways to help you compromise and let
Christ's name or God's name slide by as a curse.
Finally, let me ask again: How much
does that name above all names mean to you? The United States used to be a
place where Jesus' Name and where God were honored. It can be again, but it
must begin with us at home. Thank you for your time.
