As Christians, even on Easter, “we expect to see as much friction (if not more) from the world (Matthew 10:16-25),” says faith leader James. Spencer told FOX News Digital this week.
The right response, said the director of the DL Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts, is to “continue to deepen our commitment to Christ through worship and discipleship.”
However, Spencer expressed concern that President Biden recently declared Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) in the United States. Spencer noted that the announcement drew harsh reactions on social media.
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“Some have suggested that this is another attack on Christianity by the Biden administration,” he said.
“Regardless of historical precedent, I don’t see how declaring TDOV on the same day as Easter promotes unity, but I think the TDOV date is more of a potential distraction for Christians.” I am concerned that I believe there will be ‘community during the Easter season. ”
Some liberal churches, religious groups, and LGBTQ+ organizations are celebrating the fact that Transgender Day of Visibility, which is observed annually on March 31, will fall on Easter Sunday in 2024. (Getty Images)
He accuses politicians of often not having the church’s interests at heart, saying they “pander to Christians by quoting Bible verses out of context” and “pandering to Christians in order to emphasize human dignity without acknowledging it.” “points out the truth that we are all created in the image of God.” This is the responsibility that comes with being created in God’s image. ”
White House press secretary Andrew Bates issued a statement this weekend saying that critics of Biden’s message of inclusivity are seeking to further divide the country.
“Our government officials are humans, too,” said James Spencer of the DL Moody Center. “They are human, so they are often misguided.”
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with my family, President Biden is in a position to unite people and protect the dignity and freedoms of all Americans,” Bates told Fox News Digital. “Sadly, it is no surprise that politicians seek to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. Never abuse your faith.”
March 31st is one of several dates that have been designated to honor the transgender movement internationally since at least 2009.
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Still it’s happening this year easter sunday — One of the most important days in all of Christianity, when the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated.
Spencer suggested an appropriate Christian response in response to the president’s proclamation and the actions and comments of other political officials.
President Joe Biden attends a fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New York City. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“First of all, we need to recognize that government officials are human beings,” Spencer said. “Because they are human, they are often misguided, so one of our first reactions should be mercy.” Why can’t we just back away from relatively minor injuries if we can say, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing?” say, ‘I am.’ ”
“We serve Christ until the world around us changes, and then we serve Christ even more.”
He also said, “Jesus gave us an example of what it means to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.”
Spencer said the second possible response is to “endure faithfully.”
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“Sometimes we have looked to fix what only God can fix. Our job is not to fix a broken world, but to endure faithfully in it. If we wish, we must first concentrate on living” “a life of holiness and godliness, looking forward to and hastening the day of God” (2 Peter 3:11-12).
“As we live such a life,” Spencer said, “we will eventually find ourselves loving our neighbors, caring for the vulnerable, and preaching the gospel in word and deed.” Told.
James Spencer is director of the DL Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts. “Jesus, like us, did not want the pain and suffering that he saw to come,” he told Fox News Digital this weekend. “Jesus did not want the pain and suffering that he saw to come. I wanted to accomplish the work of providing a way of salvation.” (Photo shoot of the lake and the key)
In line with this, he says, “Our world does not need to change for us to serve Christ (1 Corinthians 7:17-24). We serve Christ until the world around us changes, and then further serve Christ.”
And the third could be a “last lesson,” he said.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, “Jesus prayed and in doing so reaffirmed his will to submit to the will of the Father,” Spencer told Fox News Digital in an email.
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“Like us, Jesus did not want the pain and suffering that he saw to come. Without the suffering of the cross, Jesus accomplished His work to provide a way of salvation to all who believe. I was hoping for it.”
Yet, “In the end, Jesus wanted something more. He wanted the Father’s will to be done, not His own (Matthew 26:39).”
At Easter and every day, “the world needs to see the change that Christ brings,” said Dr. James Spencer. “Therefore, in this moment (and many others), we must respond to Christ and not the world,” he said. (St. Petersburg)
Mr. Spencer continued, “In some cases political and social pressure may be necessary, but we must cultivate a deep conviction in Christ so that we can say, “Not as I will, but as you will.” There is a need,” he added.
He also said, “The world needs to see the change that Christ has brought. So in this moment (and many others) we need to respond to Christ. [the world]. ”
If we do so, “the world will see not our indignation and moral outrage, but our unwavering loyalty to our risen Savior and Lord, who has authority over all things in heaven and on earth.” ” he said.
trump camp, Among other things, he criticized the White House for Biden’s TDOV declaration.
“We call on Joe Biden’s campaign failures and the White House to apologize to the millions of practicing Catholics and Christians across America. [Easter Sunday] It’s about a celebration of one thing: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt.
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President Biden endorsed the March 29 declaration.
“Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of this country,” the White House said in a March 29 statement. “Whether they serve their communities, serve in the military, raise their families or run businesses, they contribute to America’s prosperity. are entitled to and have the right to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as all other Americans, including the freedom to
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace and The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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