StandFirm

There is no doubt that getting through life today is no walk in the park. For those of us who have chosen to accept our salvation through faith, the enemy has been ever strong and vigilant. In my last post, I wrote about loving our neighbor. For so many Christians, that just doesn’t seem to be enough. We get a burning desire to fight all that goes against what we know to be right and wrong. There are so many issues that face our society today; one might not know where to begin.

However, this is where I want to take a moment to just ask you to take some time to take a deep breath, think before you act and spend a lot of time in prayer. Seek out what God would have you do to further His kingdom. Be careful you don’t act out of furthering your own agenda.

There are many times in the Old Testament when God called on His people to enter into war, to fight battles, to conquer, to destroy and to eliminate. But remember, when those who were chosen to enter into battle, they were called by God. They acted under the direction of God and were only victorious because it was God’s will; God’s plan. Those that went to battle as part of God’s will; entered it in confidence that His will would prevail. They could stand firm on who He is.

In today’s world, there is not much call for conquering territory or obtaining land needed for survival. The issues that face us as Christians today are of civil liberties, religious rights and freedoms, social issues, and probably most sensitive, moral issues facing our society. There are growing issues that smack right in the face of Christian values; Godly values. As society continues its progressive move away from God, it attempts to change the laws to adapt to their want of a lack of accountability. To this I say, get involved, know what is going on in the legislature, know who is running for office, and get behind those politicians that support your point of view.

However I urge you to recognize, this is not a personal attack, and this is not about you. This is about removing God from society. No one can remove your personal convictions; no one can take away your accountability. Don’t get angry and certainly don’t hate them. It is from an angry and bitter heart that causes one to rebel against a God that has so much love for them. Fear and anger is not the way to confront those that are already hurt and angry; for that is no more that dumping fuel on a burning fire. We confront them with love and stand firm in our convictions.

When the Israelite’s were fleeing their captors in Egypt, Moses said to them; “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.” (Exodus 14:13) When Paul finishes his 1st letter to the church in Corinth, he tells them; “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) Paul writes again to the church in Ephesus, instructing them on preparing their spiritual armor; “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13) Paul wrote to the church in Philippi from his imprisonment in Rome; imprisoned for simply spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even while undergoing his own torment, he still wrote and instructed the church; “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.” (Philippians 1:27-28)

We live in a time where we have more freedoms and liberties than any other time in history, yet we fear. None of the 12 disciples died of natural causes, all killed for their beliefs, for their faith and for spreading the good news of Jesus Christ; yet we live in fear and want to act out against those that challenge what we believe. Christ walked among us as an example of love and not of judgment, anger or fear. The bible that was written as a result of Christ; speaks of love and compassion. I urge you to seek to spread the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ; and I urge you to do so in love. For that is what we are called to do.

I leave you with words from Paul’s last letter to his spiritual son Timothy as he awaited his execution in Rome. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)