Recently, a group of Houston, Texas pastors’ sermons, emails, social media posts, etc. were subpoenaed by the city.  At first I was angry.  I wondered why, just because those pastors held a biblical view on an issue which differed from the city’s viewpoint, does it warrant government intrusion into the Church? 

The next day, I remembered that the Bible shares a similar instance.  In the Bible book of Acts, chapter 4, the apostles were being called in by “rulers [magistrates—political leaders], elders [religious leaders], and scribes [writers]” to give an account of their preaching about Jesus.  Not only were they preaching Jesus, but through them, the Lord had healed a man who was crippled from birth.  These leaders just wanted the church to keep to themselves! 

The leaders began questioning the apostles, but were limited in what they could say because the man who had been healed was standing with them.  In other words, what can those who are opposed to Jesus say when the proof of His miraculous power stands before them?  So, what did the church do?  They went back and had a prayer meeting.  Their prayer went like this:  “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” Acts 4:29-31 (NKJV).

I believe that this kind of unfair religious persecution is just beginning in America.  I don’t look forward to it, but it may be necessary.  Much of the modern-day church has been asleep, self-centered, comfort-seeking, and relying on powerless religious rituals, just to try to keep people coming.  Jesus intended the church to get outside the walls and become a positive influence!  

Most of our society’s ills stem from men and women, boys and girls, who are acting out their sinful ways.  Only Jesus is the remedy!  All of us are sinners, but when Jesus transforms a life, it is changed from lawlessness to law-abiding, from anger to joy, from turmoil to peace, from self-centeredness to unconditional love of God and others.  When the Church seeks God in desperation, we’re all going to see the God of all power and might display His mighty works!  Now I look forward to that day!  Literally, the lame will walk, the blind will see, and everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved. 

So…Houston’s problem may lead to the Church’s solution!  If so, bring it on!!!