Denial

Did the Holocaust actually happen during World War II? History confirms the genocide of over 6 million Jews and other minority groups in Nazi concentration camps. Holocaust denial is the belief that the Holocaust either did not occur or was not to the extent described by historians.

As Americans we are accustomed to our freedom of speech. Individuals can make claims such as the denial of the Holocaust (to be Holocaust revisionists as supporters call themselves) and face no consequences for their claims. Surprisingly however, Holocaust denial is a crime and not protect by freedom of speech laws across many European countries; even in Germany an individual can be sentenced to up to five years in prison for speaking out against the Holocaust or parading Nazi symbols (see Wikipedia, Holocaust denial).

God takes what we say seriously. Small talk or joking is not just brushed aside as irrelevant or meaningless chatter. God judges every word we say because the words we speak reveal the true condition of our heart (see Matthew 12:34-36).

[32] If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. [33] But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT)

Jesus makes it abundantly clear. If we tell others that we have made Christ our friend, that He is our Lord and Savior, then He will not be ashamed to stand with us before God. However, if we deny Him, if we are embarrassed to let others know we are a Christian, then He will likewise reject us before God and turn us away.

In the courtroom of heaven you have the freedom of speech; you can claim Christ as your own, or you can deny knowing Him. You might even want to call your claims ‘revisionist theology’ instead ‘denial.’ Call it what you like; God will hear every word. And then judge you by what you say. You are free to say what you like, but you must be willing to face the consequences for each word.

I’m thankful that I can say, “I am a friend of God” and know that in turn He calls me friend. I have confessed my sins and am forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Nothing stands in my way of be welcomed by Jesus because I have welcomed Him.