This is the first article of a series that explores whether the American evangelical church displays the courage to live not by lies.  To live not by lies entails individual churches speaking out in the public forum in favor of biblical truth and against lies.  The expression “Live Not by Lies” comes from Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s short article “Live Not by Lies” (link: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Center — Solzhenitsyn Live Not by Lies ). 

The upcoming gender identity curriculum for New Jersey 1st graders is the catalyst for this series.  More specifically, a New York Post article on April 10, 2022 entitled “NJ gender identity lessons for first-graders prove parents were right to worry”  (link: NJ gender identity lessons prove parents were right to worry (nypost.com) reads [in part]:

Starting in September, New Jersey first-graders will learn about gender identity under new sex education guidelines. Parents received sample lesson plans at a Westfield Board of Education meeting in February; one read, “You might feel like you’re a boy even if you have body parts that some people might tell you are ‘girl’ parts. You might feel like you’re a girl even if you have body parts that some people might tell you are ‘boy’ parts. And you might not feel like you’re a boy or a girl, but you’re a little bit of both. No matter how you feel, you’re perfectly normal!”

This is a blatant move to groom 1st graders to accept a transgender lifestyle as normal.  If you want to see the Lesson Plan, go to this link: 3Rs-NJ_PinkBluePurple.pdf (dropbox.com)

It is understandable parents are incensed about this kind of indoctrination.  But, why haven’t the church spoken out against this kind of indoctrination supported by the LGBTQ movement?   I will explore that point.

My plan is to publish Part 2 (of many parts) within a few business days. 

In the meantime, does your church display the courage to “Live Not by Lies” or does it agree with the lies through silence or active support?

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION

If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my new (published in October, 2021) book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ).  At Amazon the book link is  https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 .  I also have website in which I am updating the content in the book.  The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN

If you are reading this post and are not a Christian, your eternal destination is hell unless God intervenes.  But, your destiny can change.  Today can be the day of your salvation.  Please see my blog (https://stevebelsheim.com/2020/04/20/for-god-so-loves-you-2/) for a description of how you can be saved and a more concise description at my (https://stevebelsheim.com/2020/10/20/there-is-hope-even-when-there-seems-to-be-no-hope-2/ ).

NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS

I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and/or publishers possess in their works.  I thus try my best to not violate any copyright rights other authors and/or publishers possess in their works.  The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or “fair use” is available and/or to secure direct permission for specific works.  The quotations from commentaries are considered to be “fair use.”

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Scripture marked “NASB95” are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”

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Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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