World News Through the Third Lens: Dare We Speak Against Islam?

Woman in Austria faces prison for speaking against Islamic law (Diana West, Johnson City Press editorial, November 19, 2010). On a recent trip to India (which, by the way, cost our bankrupt nation an outrageous sum) President B. Hussein Obama set us up for the Big Lie when he said, "I think all of us recognize that this great religion [Islam] in the hands of a few extremists has been distorted to justify violence towards innocent people that is never justified." Then why is it that all of the sacred books and schools of Islam say differently? One need not distort the Islamic texts to justify the violence of jihad from Mumbai to Tel Aviv to New York City to Bali to Madrid and beyond.

Just yesterday, the Religious Freedom Coalition reported that in the past week there were 30 Islamic terror attacks in 12 different nations with 83 dead and over 200 wounded. RFC also reported that two weeks earlier and Islamic terror attack on a Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad left 58 dead and 78 wounded. Not a week goes by but what multiple events like this happen, most of them not reported by the media. Asia Bibi, a 45 year old Christian woman in Pakistan (supposedly one of the USA's partners in the war against terror) has been condemned to death for insulting Islam. You can click this link to get a first-hand report on what conditions are like in Afghanistan, a country where our military have been laying it on the line for the past 9 years - for what? http://video.foxnews.com/v/4348748/daanger-of-missionary-work-in-afghanistan

All that is backdrop for the case of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, the Viennese mother and housewife who will go to trial on November 23, in which her home country of Austria will attempt to send her to prison for as long as three years for "hate speech" against Islam, very similar to those I've just written. Her statements were not without foundation based on personal experience and intense study. From living as a child of an Austrian diplomat stationed in Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, to working in the Austrian embassy in Kuwait at the time of the Iraqi invasion, to working at the Austrian embassy in Libya on 9/11, she has seen wide-spread fanaticism on display. She has studied the Islamic texts, commentaries, apologetics and critiques at length and eventually decided to exercise her God-given right to free speech and begin educating others.

In seminars promoted by the Association of Vienna Academics and the anti-Islamization Freedom Party, since 2008 she has been educating Austrians about Islam, the Koran and Shariah law. It so happened that one of the seminar attendees was a journalist for the left-wing publication NEWS, who branded the seminar as a "hate school." This caused a huge uproar in the establishment, and one bishop, who never attended a seminar, weighed in with, "One must never speak about any religion the way Ms. Sabaditsch-Wolff did about Islam." Elisabeth's husband, a military surgeon and her father (a career diplomat) know the truth and support her 100 percent.

Through the third lens of Scripture: It appears to me that Elisabeth is about to stand trial because she is a courageous proclaimer of the truth - something which threatens all states of denial. He plight mirrors that of Paul with the Galatians, where he said, "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16). I know experientially how quickly this can happen within the Body of Christ; therefore it's no surprise how one's own country can turn against some of its best and brightest citizens. I'm not a doomsayer, just an encourager - be prepared all of you Christian patriots.

And when it comes to confronting false religion, Jesus was the Master, and He warned His disciples, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved....A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master....If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!" (Matthew 10:22, 24-25). I don't have time in this article to point out all of the places where Jesus confronted false religion. Here are just a few examples: Matthew 23; Mark 7:6-13; John 7:23.

No confrontation with false religion would be complete without exposing the truth. To begin with, every Muslim who claims to have no affiliation with jihad, terror, or Shariah does not have far to go to remove themselves from Islam. And the "fanatics!" Well, they already have what it takes to become zealous Christians. We must remember that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the full and satisfactory payment, not just for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2). And so let us not be afraid of sharing the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ, even with those who would appear to be its greatest enemy. Just reread Acts 7-9 for a refresher.

Caesar is still Caesar

I don't know what election year this particular image is supposed to depict, and I don't know exactly how yesterday's election changed the colors; but one thing I do know is the CAESAR IS STILL CAESAR. There is a lot of celebrating in the US of A today, and rightfully so. Liberty, freedom, the Constitution, free enterprise, government of, by and for the people have all made their voices heard in the polling places around the country. Messages have been sent to the establishment. In some cases, righteousness has actually won the day. I praise God for this, even as I know that CAESAR IS STILL CAESAR.

It matters some whether Caesar is colored red or blue, for the heart of the king (Caesar - whether he be self-appointed or democratically elected) is in the hand of God and He turns it whatsoever way He wills, even like the rivers of water. (Proverbs 21:1). A righteous king (or government) brings blessings to the land and its people and they rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2). Changing a state's color from blue to red doesn't automatically establish righteousness in government. The people have to desire righteousness and pursue it.

CAESAR IS STILL CAESAR and he will make his demands on the people, and the people must give to CAESAR that which is his. Glory and worship are not CAESAR'S no matter how much he may portray himself as a god. As it is written, "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." (Matthew 4:10). In worshipping the One True God and serving Him only, one is constantly challenged. Yesterday in Colorado, the home of a number of large, well-known ministries (i.e. Focus on the Family) there was an item on the ballot entitled "Amendment 62." If passed, it would have declared personhood to begin at conception (which is biblically correct and therefore righteous), conferring to babies in the womb all of the rights and privileges granted to any other person under the Colorado Constitution. The measure failed to pass by about 70% to 30%.

So even where the people have spoken (the people in CT for example do not have a right to speak as did the people in Colorado), unrighteousness still prevails. Unfortunately, little babies in the womb are being killed in red states as well as blue states. Every state in the union runs red with the blood of innocent babies. So Christian, you and I have a lot of work to do and it should include the following:

1. PRAY. Paul did not distinguish which kind of king merited our prayers; he just said, "Pray." "I urge you first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for every-one--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

2. Live godly and holy lives, whether we can do that in peace or not, remembering these other words from Paul, "...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12) There will always be those who persecute the godly. It's a terrible thing when its the government that is doing the persecuting.

3. In godliness and holiness we must cry out in behalf of those who have no voice. David was able to cry out to God to save him from bloodthirsty men because he had a voice. He was able to declare, "Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice." (Psalm 55:17) Babies in the womb often have no voice but yours and mine.

4. Jesus has not yet put a halt to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Continue to proclaim the Good News with your life and with your words. When they are in harmony, the song is beautiful. When you stand as a witness in front of an abortuary, you are not just proclaiming the sanctity of life, but you are offering hope, love, forgiveness and salvation to troubled Moms and Dads as well. Thousands of salvations have taken place in the vicinity of the killing places as the theology of the church becomes the biography of the streets.

5. Stay involved. Find was to practically apply the words of Jesus when He said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl, instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." (Matthew 5:13-15)

That should keep us busy until the next election.........

Be encouraged - No matter who thinks they are king, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.