Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday May 10, 2010

I came across today's quote/story in the May issue of "The Biblical Examiner" published by my long time friend Ovid Need. The story is about the high value a Chinese family placed on individual liberty.

"Confucius, accompanied by several of his pupils, passing through rugged and deserted mountains on their way, were surprised to find an old woman weeping beside a grave. Confucius sent Tsze-loo to inquire the cause of her grief 'My husband's father,' she answered, 'was killed here by a tiger, and my husband also, and now my son has met the same fate.' When Confucius asked why she persisted in living in so dangerous a place, she replied: 'There is no oppressive government here.' My children,' said Confucius to his students, 'remember this. Oppressive government is fiercer than a tiger.'" Will Durant, in "Our Oriental Heritage"

"Oppressive government is fiercer than a tiger."

This story is all the more interesting when you factor in that Will Durant, grand writer though he was, embraced Socialism. He lived when the idea of socialism was in its infancy and the horrors of the Soviet "experiment" were as yet unknown. I thought his statement profound in light of what we American Christians are facing in the area of "Oppressive Government," nothing like the Chinese which have reached repressive depths, but our government mechanism is fast gaining ground on the repressive elements in the world.

In the course of a conversation about the "banning of Franklin Graham" I mentioned that we who claim Christ must pray in His name regardless of those in high places who attempt to ban the practice. A simple reading of the Book of Acts will give cites of instances where the Early Apostles and ordinary Christians were whipped, cast into prisons, and in many cases murdered for "speaking in His name." Their motto was simple, "We must obey God, rather than man." To be sure we must attempt in every way possible to live in harmony with the laws of the land, but when the laws of the land contradict the rules of the creator, then we must do as the highest commands.

We Christians may soon be the recipients of persecution not seen in our country since its earliest times. Yet Scripture is clear and we must be guided by God's word.

I hope you will join with me and others in prayer for a revival of true faith.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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