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WisconsinChristianNews.com
Volume 25, Issue 8
The Door Of Opportunity Is Open
By Jim Schneider, Executive Director, VCY America January 2025
When a door was opened, Paul took full advantage of the opportunity. He never knew how long that door would remain opened. He was fully aware that it is only the Gospel of Christ that can truly change the heart of man. Paul also recognized that along with the open door, opposition was also lurking. “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (I Corinthians 16:9). Indeed, there were those who would seek to hinder in any way possible the message of the gospel being furthered. Paul suffered antagonism, rebuke, false accusa- tions, beatings and even imprisonment under the political and religious system he lived. “Withal pray- ing also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” (Colossians 4:3). As we spread the Good News, we do so recognizing that there will be those who oppose our actions, who oppose our speech, and who oppose the very message we must advance. Such will be the case as we go through life. But we must realize our door is open even wider than Paul’s door. In the United States, we do not live in constant threat of physical peril for sharing the Gospel and thus it behooves us to persevere while there is opportunity, while the door is open. In listening to Christian constitutional lawyers over the past 12 months, they have indicated to me that we are living in a time when religious liberty in the United States is seeing many victories. Why then are we not taking advantage of these times? Why are we trying to close the door that is sitting wide open for us? As we begin a New Year, let us recognize that the door of opportunity is open. The question is, will we advance the Gospel to a needy world, or will we squander the occasion? Let each of us commit afresh to be the ambassador God has called us to be before this door is closed! VCY.org
As we approached last year’s presidential and congressional election, our nation was at a cross- roads. Were we going to forsake the founding prin- ciples of our nation and forge ahead toward socialism? Or, were we going to change the trajec- tory we have been headed over recent years and re- turn to embrace our Constitutional principles? Certainly, much was at stake (and still is). Most notable to many in Christian ministry is the First Amendment and the protection of a free press, free speech, the right to assemble and the free exercise of religion. Our nation was quickly advancing toward forcing medical providers to violate their conscience and par- ticipate in abortion, the intentional killing of pre-born babies. Further, there was a push to force physicians beyond their conscience objection to participate in permanent body mutilating procedures on minors who are gender confused. It was not only those in the medical profession. The corporate world was quickly advancing mandatory compliance with their DEI policies. This was coupled with mandatory compliance of those in education to teach curriculum that denies simple biology and to accept by their speech and actions, policies in direct conflict with the teachings of Scripture. The implications of this past election go well beyond just these matters. Increased hostility has been launched against Christianity. A school board in Canyon Independent School District, located in Texas, recently made known their action to ban the Bible from library shelves to comply with a state law which bans books with “sexually explicit” content. Thankfully, after an outcry, this decision was soon reversed. But it will not be the last attempt. How long will it be before Christian broadcast sta- tions are prevented from proclaiming the whole coun- sel of God over the airwaves? How long before local pastors will be required to turn over their sermons before delivering them to their congregation? If you think this is impossible or “over the top,” keep in mind it had already been attempted in Houston,
Texas.
There are ongoing attempts to stop “Good News Clubs” in schools, to prevent coaches from praying on the 50-yard line after a game, to cease any men- tion of God (except for cursing) in the public arena, and to force businessmen and women to use their tal- ents to accommodate aberrant and sinful lifestyle choices. While these attacks unfold, and continue to do so in the future, we must recognize this is no time to cower in a corner, or to be secretive in our Christian- ity. For the most part, this is what has brought these problems to this point. The Church, the body of be- lievers in Jesus Christ, must take an unwavering stand. The role of the Christian is not to “go with the flow” and just “blend in,” but to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. We have become perilously close to going the direc- tion other nations have in clamping down on religious liberty. What is happening in several European countries ought to be a warning to us as to what may happen in the future. Now, while this door of oppor- tunity is open, more than ever the Gospel must be furthered. The apostle Paul recognized the critical importance of an open door in the work of the ministry. “Further- more, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,” (II Corinthians 2:12).
Listen O n These Wisconsin Ra d io Stations: Tune in For... VCY A merica is a non-denominational, conservative Christian non-profit organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our ministries reach out by radio, television and satellite as well as in the local community, to present the Gospel, encourage Christians, and stimulate the Church to be the Church in our society. G o d -honoring -honoring Programming, Soli d Soli Bible Teaching, Ne w s s & Information Impacting the Family Reaching 50 States and Beyond...24 Hours a Day, From Right Here in Wisconsin!
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