Stand Strong or Go Along: It’s Your Choice To Make

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ (Galatians 5:1); ‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.’ (1 Corinthians 16:13)

The current Administration, for all that it is doing in its attempts to right previous wrongs, is facing considerable roadblocks in ending the fraud, waste, and abuse of the Federal Government, and the ‘woke’ policies of the previous Administration.  While it appears the American public is approving of the current direction of the country to a more conservative and Biblically-approved Worldview, the facts show we are only one election cycle forward from the electorate wanting the opposite.  It is also true we are one election cycle away from possibly the majority of Americans returning to the more liberal and Secular Worldview of ‘woke’ principles and a return of the government spending taxpayer money like a sailor on shore leave.  (If you were a sailor or seen them in a port city, you understand the reference.)

Actually, the direction of the entire nation is determined by roughly 10% of voting-aged Americans.  Roughly 45% of Americans are rooted in conservative, Biblical-leaning principles, and roughly 45% are rooted in liberal, secular-leaning principles.  That remaining 10% can sway depending on the overall American mood, the success or failure of the messaging of the candidates of either party, and the perception of how well (or how poorly) the American economy is doing.  For those of us who hold a Biblical Worldview and are committed to living by Godly principles, it is important for us to not waver from obedience to His Word and regardless of the swinging political pendulum to stand firm in Faith, in both deeds and words.

The changes, as we’ve seen in the past, can happen quickly.  In a matter of weeks, America went from a free society to one where censorship and persecution were embraced, thanks to the COVID scare.  One could not speak against the heavy-handed policies of our government and the attempted enforcement of the vaccine against those who did not wish to have it.  Churches and their members were arrested or sent away by officials if they tried to attend services in person.  Some parents were harassed for speaking against pornographic children’s books in their elementary school’s libraries.

I want to make it clear that I am not equating the act of anything mentioned above is like that which faced Daniel, Paul or Stephen or anyone else in the Bible.  But persecution, for holding conservative or Biblically-aligned viewpoints, has happened and it may happen again.  Individually, we continue to face the possibility of attacks by those holding pro-abortion or pro-LGBTQ viewpoints, even though both topics are not on the top of the national discussion.  We need to keep our eyes open, and more importantly keep our Faith and stand steadfast in the Lord and His Word.

There is a choice for the Christian to make; stand strong or go along.  One can possibly avoid persecution by simply staying silent, or going with the mob.  The other choice is to face persecution as David faced Goliath, looking eye-to-eye at your opponent and standing strong in Faith.  One may lead to death, but allow you to live.  But the kind of life and the kind of death depends on your choice.

The Lord wants us to stand firm when it comes to our principles.  What is Faith if we don’t use it?  When the time comes, will we as Christians be firm in our Faith, even though there may be an earthly price to pay?  The good news is we know that if we are weak Jesus will forgive us.  Peter folded like a piece of paper when Jesus was arrested, and denied Him three times.  But Jesus not only forgave Peter but used him to evangelize the Gospel to Israel and the Gentiles along with Paul.  We should not use this as an excuse to allow ourselves to be weak, however. 

If (actually, when) our church is persecuted, with hordes of protesters surrounding it, some challenging those who dare enter, others taking down license plate numbers or even physically confronting those coming or going;  remember there will also be those who are watching what we, the Faithful, will do.  Will they see us going into the church to worship in respectful fear of our God, or will they see us retreat in abject fear of what man could do to us?  I have decided to follow Jesus, to trust Him, and to stand firm in the Godly principles He provides.