"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth (Galatians 4:16)?"

Contact: Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, Elijah Ministries, 254-715-3134; statesofrefuge.org 

OPINION, May 7, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas of Elijah Ministries:

"In a time of universal deceit-telling the truth is a revolutionary act." These are the words of George Orwell. Long before Orwell, however, the Apostle Paul brought this thought to the fore by asking it this way, "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16.  Paul loved the church in Galatia but she was sliding into a deceptive lie (sin) that threatened her very existence. Sound familiar? There was apostasy in God's church on the one hand, and governmental tyranny on the other. Though Paul spoke this truth in love, it was perceived by both the church and the state to be hate speech. 

Truth is hate, to those who hate the truth. 

Sadly, Operation Save America experienced this same response in Jackson Hole last year. Your community perceived us as an enemy, because we dared to reveal the truth concerning the sin of abortion. The city was so offended by this "revolutionary act," that we won the dubious distinction of being "the worst thing to happen in Jackson, Wyoming, in 2011." How could this happen in the land of the free and the home of the brave? It is not hard to discern, once good is perceived as evil and evil is perceived as good (Isaiah 5:20). 

We all know what caused the harsh reaction. It centered on the graphic pictures. Sadly, you were more offended by these pictures than the fact that this abomination was actually taking place in your city at the hand of abortionist Brent Blue. If something is so horrible that we cannot look upon it, perhaps we ought to stop doing it. You considered us enemies for exposing this truth. You blamed the messengers, not the man doing this horrible deed.

Why do we show these terrible pictures? Know that we derive no delight in holding these signs. The reproach for exposing the unfruitful works of darkness is great (Ephesians 5:11). We do it out of love for God and for His precious preborn children who have no voice, no choice, and are unjustly being sentenced to death (Matthew 22:37-40; Proverbs 24:11-12). 

Besides, God commands it, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1). Abortion is an outrageous sin against God and a brutal crime against innocent children created in God's image. Their innocent blood has been shed which has led to a host of other evils presently savaging our nation. Abortion is a national sin that leads to national calamity. There is a direct connection between our spiritual state and the litany of woe upon our land. 

The graphic pictures we use present a powerful visual object lesson-a "living parable" so to speak. One is the picture of a beautiful live baby saved from abortion. This represents what God does. He saves! The other is a picture of a baby ripped apart by abortion. This is what sin does. It brings death (Romans 6:23)! Pretty ugly isn't it? If you remember, we held these two signs in contrast with one another last year. 

When we hold the dead baby sign, it demonstrates what happens when a nation dishonors God and violates His holy commandments. All those who hate God love death (Proverbs 8:36). America is choosing murder to solve its economic and moral problems. It did not work with past regimes (Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, et cetera) and it will not work for America. The live baby sign reveals what happens when a nation honors God and keeps His commandments. It leads to the protection of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Wyoming stands at the threshold of history. Your state could become the first abortion Free State in America. It is up to you. Though you may currently consider us an "enemy," the time will come when that perspective will change. You will find that we were, and are, your very best friends. We loved you enough to tell you the truth. Instead of viewing us as the worst thing to ever happen to Jackson Hole, you may come to know us as the best thing to ever happen to you.

God's Word states, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your children may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). This is God's will for you, your city, your state, and our nation. He yearns to bless us with life and deliver us from the curse of death. We are coming to Jackson, once again, to affirm this crucial message in Jesus' name!