Courage Has NOT Left the Building

In an age of craven cowardice, effeminized men, dirty politics and spineless politicians, Oklahoma Representative Sally Kerns has led Christianity in a lesson of what it is to be a faithful Christian soldier. When in a recent speech she decried the relentless assaults of homosexual activists on the rights of families and children in that state to not be indoctrinated in perverse sexuality, she was misquoted, derided, her YouTube video selectively edited, and nationally ridiculed. She received 30,000 attack emails, many which threatened her and called her obscene names. This woman of Christian integrity has not backed down and has stood her ground, for Jesus sake. Read her speech yesterday at a support rally where an estimated 2000 people turned out in support of her, including 50 Christian pastors. Here is a godly example of speaking truth in love. Here is an example of true Christian courage and boldness through Christ so often lacking today. Sally, I salute you, sister.

Rep. Sally Kern Speech - Rotunda of Oklahoma State House - April 2, 2008

“I want to thank everyone for coming here today. This rally, Freedom of Speech Rally for Sally, is really about freedom of speech for all who want to stand for the truth of God’s Word. This is not about me. It’s about the Church having the right to speak out for the redeeming love of Jesus Christ who died to set us all free from sin. The Lord gave me a verse I’ve been claiming. Philippines 1:12: “I want you to know that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

I’ve gotten lots of e-mail lately. Some good, some not so good. I’ve been called lots of names. I can’t repeat most of those names. Some of the good names have been courageous, brave, and hero. I want you to know I have more trouble relating to the good names than the bad. I know I’m a sinner, but I’m not courageous, brave, or a hero. I’m just an earthen vessel, and old clay pot. II Corinthians 4: 7 says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, clay jars to show that this surpassing power is from God.” The last few weeks have been tough but God’s grace has been sufficient. So if I seem courageous, brave, or a hero, it’s not me but God’s grace.

When I gave that now infamous speech, I was not putting down any individual. I believe each and every person is precious in God’s sight. He loves us all. He loves us all equally and He loves us regardless of our sin. Yet, God is not just a God of love but also a Holy and Righteous God who sent His Son to die for our sin so we could have forgiveness and experience life abundantly. To have His forgiveness we must first acknowledge our sin. We can’t excuse it or justify it.

Let me tell you why I will not, why I cannot, apologize for my comments. First, I believe God’s Word. When God calls something a sin, then it is a sin. God never changes and neither does His Word. My opinion doesn’t matter. His Word is all that matters.

Second, this nation was founded on Christian principles. We all know Patrick Henry’s famous words “Give me liberty or give me death.” He also said “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Some say we should separate church and state but Noah Webster said when writing to school children “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God.”

Third, when I was running for office, I told the people I was running as a Christian candidate because I believed we were in a cultural war for the existence of our Judeo-Christian values. This situation is evidence that the cultural war is real. And it gives me the opportunity to keep my promise to those who voted me into office.

Psalms 11:3 says “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” We can remember that the foundation of society is the home as established by God—one man and one woman. So stand up for it. We can remember that the foundation of this nation was Christianity. Teach it to our children. We can remember that the foundation of the Church is God’s Word. Believe it and practice it daily. We can remember that the foundation of salvation is Christ dying for a world lost in bondage to sin. Proclaim the Truth that will set people free.

When you go home today, go turn on all the lights in your bedroom. Get into the closet and close the door. Stand in the dark a few seconds. Then open the closet door and notice what happens. The darkness in the closet doesn’t swoop our and overtake the light. No, the light spreads into the closet dispelling the darkness. Our world is dark with sin today, not because of the homosexuals, or the murderers, or the drug addicts. It’s dark because the Church has not let its light shine. What the righteous must do is pray II Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Thank God we still have Freedom of Speech in America. Let’s speak out while we still can. God bless you and God bless America.”

And God bless you, Sally!

By Ingrid Schlueter Email: vcyproducer@aol.com Click here for bio and archived articles