(October 22, 2021) Maureen McQuillan encourages a concerned person…

Pastor Maureen… I’m hearing from America, England and even here that there’s a rapidly growing conspiracy to demean, indeed block Christianity, cancel church and other Christianity charities, that Christian schools will be forced to accept non-Christian teachers, and such. I’m particularly concerned to hear that any Christian who seeks to help someone find Jesus as Saviour by sharing the gospel with them and pointing out that we’re all sinners and need to repent could be taken to court, fined and even imprisoned… if the person doesn’t like what they hear. Does this mean that we will be banned from sharing about God, Jesus and the things we hold dear? Marie (Not real name).

Gosh, ‘Marie’… whoa, wait a minute, hold it there. Sounds like you’re panicking! Yes, all that you mention sounds very concerning but we mustn’t be afraid… or deceived by any satanic ploy. Australian Christian Lobby (natoffice@acl.org.au) in particular and praying Christians/churches aware of such subversive ‘conspiracies’ are endeavouring to counter such matters (as are others speaking out in America and elsewhere).

But in the main, I would encourage you not to panic but to keep trusting God, believing that he is still in charge! Since Christianity first began there have been many – unhappy religious opposers, governments and movements working to defeat its growth… but the church has continued to grow with so many being saved.

Yes, I know that it’s been reported that church attendance and Christianity, particularly in America, has gone down badly over the past 20 years (even heard Dr David Jeremiah give the deflation statistics with a jolting screen icon last Sunday). But, as has been pointed out before over several months in this Onliner,with church services in lockdown or with very few attenders, it’s up to us when we can meet with people or through phone, email or Skype, to share the good news whenever we have opportunity.

And, Marie, remember this… suppose that dread of yours, that fear of being imprisoned, having been banned from openly inviting individuals to accept Christ or to believe what we believe, the great fact is that the Bible isn’t banned (at least not yet!).

You can simply say to an individual that you believe the Bible that it is God’s holy word and it says this (We are all sinners and need to be saved though Jesus Christ’s atoning salvation; God created us male and female, not genderless ‘its’; or whatever you wish to point out …) and then challenge them to read God’s word and decide for themselves. Then you leave it with them (and the Holy Spirit, of course), putting the onus back on them to make a decision – without you coming across ‘seemingly heavy’ with demands that they don’t like.

I would add too, that it is important so that we encourage ourselves to know what the word says… and to continue reading it daily so it will be strong in our hearts and never be lost to us.

Here are some comforting scriptures…

1. ‘Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you”’ (Isaiah 35:4).
2. ‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ (Proverbs 19:21).
3. ‘He is before all things, and in him all things hold together’ (Colossians 1:17).
4. ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’ (Exodus 33:14).
5. Jesus promised ‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it’ (Matthew 16:18).  

Now then, Marie… you find some others as you continue to read God’s word! I trust this eases your mind. My prayers are with you. And please recall that old saying: When fear knocks at the door, let faith open it.
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Got a question for either Pr Maureen or Dr Robert McQuillan? Email to OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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