2 Corinthians 10:3-4: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)."
Ephesians 6:12: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
2 Corinthians 5:18-21: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
1 Corinthians 2:12-13: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
Philippians 2:16: "Holding forth the Word of life ..."
2. True Christians believe in soul liberty, that is the freedom to examine evidence and decide for one's self and to hold to the truth or reject it according to the dictates of one's own heart. Also contained within the doctrine of soul liberty is the right to speak in accordance with the dictates of the heart. Bible believing Christians emphaticly encourage that people believe God's Word, but never with physical force as Catholicism, Islam and other religions have been known to do. All men are created in the image of God and as such have soul liberty, and the right to hear the Word of God if they will listen.
Lamentations 3:25-26, 34-36: "The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. ... To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth, To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not."
1 Kings 18:21: "... How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. ..."
Joshua 24:15: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
3. Christians understand that "the whole world lieth in wickedness" and is passing away. We know that this world is under limited control of Satan who is called "the god of this world." The Devil is the real enemy and it is he who wishes to kill us. His followers only obey his biddings. Their end will be the Lake of Fire along with their father, the devil.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
2 Corinthians 11:14-15: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
Revelation 12:9-11: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
John 8:44: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
Revelation 12:10, 14-15: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone ... and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. ... And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
1 Peter 5:5-9: "... God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
4. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ know that they will face tribulation and persecution in this world and have been promised blessings for enduring unjust treatement at the hands of the servants of sin [Romans 6:16].
John 16:33: "These things I [Jesus] have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
1 Peter 2:19-22: "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth."
1 Peter 3:14-18: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
Matther 5:9-12: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
5. It is not the Lord Jesus' Church's job to persecute other religions, as has been and is the practice of Catholicism, Islam and other religions. According to the New Testament, neither is it the States job to interfere in matters of faith. God established three institutions: 1) The Family [Genesis 1:26-28, 2:21-24], 2) Human Government [Genesis 9:5-6; Exodus 21:12], 3) The Church [Matthew 16:16-18, 18:15-18; John 20:19-23]. Jesus taught that people are to "Render to Caesar [Government] the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's [His Church]" for they are two different institutions created for different purposes. According to Scripture the second of these three institutions, Human Government, was established to be a "minister of God to thee for good" and to be "a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." This, not the establishment of religions, is the primary purpose of Human Government. Satan, however, always attempts to change God's plans and purposes, and it is he who is the temporary god of this world. These two institutions have very frequently been married together into a satanic hybrid. Believers are to "submit ... to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake," that is to obey all laws of man that do not contradict God's Law; for it is He who is King of kings and Lord of lords [1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14, 19:16; Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:3]. God does not require believers to follow laws that are contrary to His Law [Exodus 1:15-17; Daniel 3:8-18, 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20, 5:27-29, 40-41; Revelation 13:15-18, 14:9-11; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15].
Mark 12:14-17: "... Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. ..."
Romans 13:1-7: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
Ephesians 2:8-11: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
1 Peter 2:13-17: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."
1 Timothy 2:1-4: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 7-9: "... [T]he son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. ... For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan ..."
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