Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, You Soldiers of the Cross


I have sung a hymn from time to time that goes, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross.” I’ve wondered about the meaning of those lyrics occasionally. After all, they have seemed irrelevant for the most part to me and Americans of my generation. But not now.

The Manhattan Declaration was released on Friday, November 20, 2009. While many have not heard of this document, it was a strong statement by the Christian Church – Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic. It is not unusual for Christians to come together on urgent matters, and this declaration addresses three critically significant issues. Christian leaders agree that the issues of the sanctity of human life, the integrity of marriage, and religious liberty are under attack as never before. These are moral issues of the most important type, and The Manhattan Declaration (www.manhattandeclaration.org) deserves a serious reading by all, whether Christian or not.

Thirty years ago warnings began that a “culture of death” was encroaching American society. Abortion as a convenient birth control method was then promoted. A fetus soon was referred to as “cell tissue” and compared by “feminists” to a cancerous tumor; euthanasia proponents seemed to be capturing headlines as they pushed for federal or state laws legalizing suicide. The putting to death of the elderly, against their will, was seen – and still is seen – as a way of relieving economic strain.

Sanctity of life means more than abortion and euthanasia today: it includes assisted suicide and the destruction of human embryos for medical experimentation. If this continues unabated, look for genocide and “ethnic cleansing” on the horizon. And do not think of “ethnic” as meaning racial (black or white) or national heritage (Irish or Russian). It will mean whatever group happens to be out of favor at the moment (Fox News commentators, Jews, Christians, bankers, illiterate or disabled persons, etc). And yes, the elderly are still vulnerable.

Marriage has been taking a beating in the courts recently. “What is marriage, anyway?” I was once asked. Before being able to reply, I was informed, “It is just a piece of paper issued by a court.” Really? Or is the “piece of paper” (the certificate) documentation of the commitment by a couple to one another? The redefining of marriage that is current is another blow against the long held understanding – and Biblical teaching – that marriage is between a man and a woman. If something is not done soon – now – to put the brakes on this runaway train the word “marriage” could soon mean a man and his dog or a woman and her cat. Think this is silly? Well, think again. There are already some persons who consider bestiality (human sex with animals) “OK” and are calling that society recognize its legitimacy. We need to understand that marriage is not just about romance, although it includes that dimension. Marriage is also about the generation, promotion and protection of life in what is known as “family.” Marriage is about romance, commitment, affirmation, nurture, procreation, values and emotional stability. And because marriage is precisely about those things, it is the union of a man and a woman.

The Manhattan Declaration says it better than me in stating, “…the use of anti-discrimination statutes … force religious institutions, businesses, and service providers of various sorts to comply with activities they judge to be deeply immoral or go out of business.” Incidents are then cited showing the erosion of religious liberty.

You may want to read The Manhattan Declaration and you may then want to sign it. I urge you to read it. Then pray and use your conscience about signing it. The time to be silent is over. For the sake of us and our children and grandchildren, it is time for Christians everywhere in America to take a stand.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross.