How the UCC Christians couldn’t deny their faith …

Following the tragic shooting two days ago at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College where a gunman specifically targeted the killing of Christians, a new post is broadly making its way around social media …

The bravest person at the ‪#‎UCCShooting‬ was the second one to admit to being a Christian.

Some people disagree with that statement, saying if Christians who observed that people of faith were being singled out would just not have admitted they were Christians, they might be alive today. I understand how a person can think that, it’s a natural draw from our selfish desire for self-preservation and promotion.

That’s why authentic Christians don’t think that way.

In the kingdom of God, there’s a new economy, one not based on making the care of self the highest and greatest priority of life. It’s an economy where Jesus Christ is central and truth, righteousness, and love are paramount, even at significant peril for pursuing such.

An authentic Christian would no more consider not admitting to their identity in Christ when a gun is pointed at them, or a knife is placed to their neck, or if they’re being strung up on a cross, or if someone at work or in a classroom is laughing at or mocking them.

In God’s new economy, that second Christian shot by the UCC gunmen would have had no qualms about professing their faith in God; rather, they would have deeply regretted not saying it, even knowing the cost otherwise.

All of us, if honest, could develop a list of things we regret having ever said. But some of our greater regrets in life is to fail at NOT saying something that should have been said but wasn’t. Things like missing telling others we love them or speaking the truth at a pivotal point of opportunity.

Jesus Christ certainly could identify with these Christians who lost their lives on the UCC campus. His own life or death situation came when a man pointed words rather than a gun at Him, but both equally deadly. After being arrested, and then put on trial by the Sanhedrin, where false charges were quickly and sloppily raised against Him, the high priest became frustrated with Jesus and so he put him on the spot, asking a question that, if answered “incorrectly” would guarantee His crucifixion …

“Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?’ But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, ‘I demand in the name of the living God — tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, ‘Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?’ ‘Guilty!’ they shouted. ‘He deserves to die!’” Matthew 26:62-66.

Many still say today, “If only Jesus wouldn’t have answered that way! Then He wouldn’t have been crucified!”

But without His crucifixion, death, and resurrection, there would be no salvation. It would have been all of humanity’s greatest regret had Jesus not answered honestly!

Those people on the UCC campus who affirmed to a killer that they were, indeed, Christians were walking at that moment more in the footsteps of Jesus than they likely realized!

Satan is a liar and always has been. He toils constantly to make us think truth isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be, and persistently and consistently telling it is not good for us. If we buy his lie, we’ll live to regret what we DIDN’T say rather than what we said.

I have many times heard Christians in discussion ask what they would do if someone put a gun to their head and asked if they were a Christian. Those same Christians probably never thought that would really happen to a Christian in America in their lifetime. But it has, on more than one occasion, and again in an ugly and tragic manner. Many Christians would like to transition from this life to the next without being put in such a dangerous position, but none of us will make it out of this world without having to give affirmation of our faith and to stand for our loyalty to Christ in some real fashion.

In some way where we must state our faith and devotion.

Or else forever regret what we didn’t say.

So, do you have the courage for this new era of bold, costly Christianity?

Scotty