Article by Jeff Pitman - pastor
I am so grateful for commentators like Mr Alan Jones and Columnist for the Australian Newspaper, Janet Albrechtsen, who have looked beyond the superficial and are defending the real argument, that of the Freedom of the Christian Religion as linked with Freedom of Speech.
I am saddened that they have needed to wade into this battle but have appreciated their insight.
Articles:
Mr Alan Jones: Courageous Folau is fighting for us all.
Ms Janet Albrechtsen: Whistle blows on morality cops.
Eddie McGuire in his rebuttal to Sam Newman, on the AFL Footy Show, during the “Yes - Debate” in September 2017, to redefine the Marriage act, said,
“What we have in our world at the moment, Sam, is a leadership vacuum with politicians who don't do anything unless there's a vote in it.
We have media who are running agendas to get whatever they want.
We've got churches [that] have completely lost any credibility in what they stand for.
But the AFL is an organisation that people do look to."
We look to the AFL for what, I must ask?
I take exception to this statement by Eddie McGuire, as the journalists in the articles we are citing, are actually reporting truth and do have factual concerns.
These concerns effect every Australian, directly and indirectly, not just the Biblically Faithful.
The True Christian Church has always, and will always be, Light and Salt to the current generation and therefore will always have a voice of credibility.
Just very few are listening!
Sadly, the places with dazzling light shows, who have a hand in your pockets, that have a name they are alive but are dead, seem to be called upon, to speak for the true Biblical Church.
The underlying problem in this discussion regarding freedom of speech, the side of Folly and the Side concerning Biblical Christian Faith, is the love of the Sin that Sells.
King David was right when he wrote Psalm 53 describing the foolishness of those who have made a decision that justifies the denial of God;
There Is None Who Does Good
Psalm 53:1 To the Chief Musician. Set to "Mahalath." A Contemplation of David. The fool has said in his heart,"There is noGod." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.
Psalm 53:2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
Psalm 53:3 Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
Psalm 53:4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call upon God?
Psalm 53:5 There they are in great fear Where no fear was, For God hasscattered the bones of him who encamps against you; You have put them to shame, Because God has despised them.
Psalm 53:6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. - NKJV
I will not look to the Sporting Codes to define the moral values for the current nor future generations.
The Heritage of the Judeo-Christian position, which has helped to shape past Australia, will stand the test of any opposing ideologies and/or philosophies.
I think the Clerics, of the Religion of Football, have seen fit to replace the "Bride of Jesus Christ" with the Harlot of Hedonism.
I have no reservation in supporting Israel and Maria Folau, as this matter goes to a direct attack on the claims of Jesus Christ and His inerrant Word; the Bible.
In addition, the matter attacks the peaceable life of those who follow Jesus Christ as the Bible has set out for the Christian.
It is not about the financial status of the Folau family, but that the wider community will see and act upon what is morally right and defend the Faith once delivered to the Saints.
To be clear, to defend true Martyrs, those who have died for the cause of Christ, (which must include those who have fought our Wars to keep the Liberty of our Christian Heritage through a Democracy.
Those who have not succumb to popularized poster puppets or personalities of Leftist, Communist and therefore satanic indoctrinations) have been willing to lay down their life for not only moral and civil liberties but also for the right of every individual to voice an opinion.
The Bible, as rightly stated by Senator Cory Bernardi, in the article by Mr Alan Jones, “is the Best-Selling book in the History of the World.”
This claim although true, is really a side issue.
The real evidence of the Bible’s purpose and work is to call to account the only way a Man and a Woman can be in a right relational position with God; our Heavenly Father.
The Call of the New Testament writers, and of Jesus himself, is to Repent of SIN (that is, to acknowledge one's failings, and turn away from those words, actions, and thoughts that are contrary to God's Word),cf Luke 13:3 & 5 and to know personally, Jesus Christ as Lord, and as Saviour.
Mark 12:29 - 31 Jesus answeredhim, "The first of all the commandments is: 'HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE.
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' This is the first commandment.
And the second, like it, is this: 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." - NKJV
This Gift of Salvation is possible for Mr Alan Joyce and for the Board of the ANZ bank and every person on the face of the Earth, even those that Israel Folau mentioned in his Post, if they would but repent of their Sin and follow Jesus.
The Sins which the Text Israel Folau’s post highlighted, is that, which is in the heart of all mankind. Those affronted by this truth seek to self-justify and try and destroy the very pillars of moral accountability that are written on every heart.
Israel’s post, which cites the Bible, lists liars,drunkards, homosexuals, fornicators, adulterers thieves and idolaters. Before we were confronted with the message of Jesus, we were all members of this list. But Jesus can change this nature in a Person.
This is my testimony and that of every Bible believing Christian.
The evidence of a true biblical Christian, living to follow Jesus, brings those who live in the darkness of Sin into the light of Christ, and so, Christians are hated for this fact.
Jesus made it clear that the World would hate Christians as they hated Jesus and put him to death on a Roman Cross.
Matthew records Jesus’ words to his disciples, followers of Jesus, in the discourse on the Mount, known as the, “Beatitudes” and I quote,
Mat 5:10 & 11 "Blessed are those whoare 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.”- NKJV
The important aspect, overlooked by PRETENDED do-gooder types, pseudo-Christians and men-pleasers, is that as Christians we must defend the name, the cause, and the claims of Jesus Christ.
Not with force, nor words of condemnation, but with the Loving call to repentance and then demonstrating how Jesus Loved all, in word and in deed.
If, when we do live for Jesus, we suffer tribulation in the face of persecution for Jesus’ sake, remember Jesus told us this would be the case:
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."- NKJV
Don’t stop being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Don’t stop sharing our precious Faith. Don’t stop demonstrating how a Christian should live.
Christian, if you are “Born Again,”live by example; a holy, godly life, that Jesus would approve of; and defy QANTAS, ANZ, the ARL and the AFL, and every other, "religion" of man.
Honour God in everything and He will honour you!
