To the Legion of Christ: These are unprecedented times. I never thought that I would live to see the day that going to church in the United States of America would be considered dangerous or reckless or somehow immoral. When the State government of Nevada would encourage the casinos and strip clubs to stay open but try to keep the churches closed. When liquor stores and abortion clinics would be propped as essential to the health of the nation but the church would be considered as dangerous to the national health. When National, State and Local leaders are calling for the closure of the churches but are outwardly supporting rioting and acts of violence, it is time for the members of the Church of Jesus Christ to stand in defiance of Caesar. What is even more concerning to me are the Christians, especially those of my generation, who would value perceived safety over their duty to worship Christ and fellowship together. When has the Church ever allowed itself to be intimidated by slander, loss of popularity, or threats of fines or imprisonment? How shall the Church have been created if Christ had refused the Cross? How shall the early Church have been fed if Paul had allowed himself to be silent to avoid imprisonment? Let us not forget the countless saints who were thrown to the lions in the Colosseum, who were burned alive, who were sawn in two, and who were crucified. The American Church has grown so soft from lack of persecution. Don’t misunderstand me, I am glad that we in the American church have had such freedom, unknown to the history of the church, but we have become weak from a lack of persecution. What is worse, too many in the American church desire earthly friendship, peace, and comfort more than they value their fellowship with their fellow soldiers in Christ. Lastly, when did the Church of Jesus Christ become so afraid of death? We are called to be above the fear of death. Whether it be from a virus, cancer, disease, nature, or our fellow man, we are called to embrace death. I chafe under the constant use of phrases, such as “Until it’s safe.” Safety is an illusion! I am sorry to say it but death is an ever-present character in your life. It may strike you at any moment! There is no escape from it and there is no way to truly prevent it or escape from the reaper’s grip. For what reason should the follower of Christ fear death? As the apostle Paul wrote “For to live is Christ and to die is gain”! The more expediently you can embrace this simple fact, the more expediently you will live without fear of death. I therefore issue a call to you, my fellow soldiers, my brothers and sisters, my friends: STAND FIRM AND UPRIGHT IN YOUR DEFIANCE OF TYRANNY! Our Christian duty is to obey government as long as it follows the edicts of God. However, as Paul also wrote, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” We must determine that we will die on this hill my friends. If we allow ourselves to be cowed and persuaded to abandon our duty to God in the interest of perceived safety, we will allow ourselves to be persuaded little by little to not meet at all. I encourage you to have no fear, to look persecution, slander, loss of popularity and social acceptance in the face and laugh. These concepts are so temporary in comparison to the wondrous and eternal acceptance and love we have in the arms of our Savior. We will not be scared of a virus, whose supposed danger has been used as a political tool to divide and weaken our body and our country. We will not allow the media, either or professional or social, to dissuade us from our Holy mission. Let it be recorded in the history books that the Western Church stood in defiant obedience to Christ. No King but King Jesus! Legionnaires, Soldiers, stand firm and keep the Phalanx!
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