The Bible is filled with accounts of men and women who stood for God against massive cultural pressure. Among them would be Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Esther, Ruth, Rahab… and the list goes on and on.
“By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death.
But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world.” (Hebrews 11:33-38)
This doesn’t include the countless people through the centuries who were abused and martyred, all for the sake of Christ.
What are you standing for? Is it culture, your feelings, your fun, your success? Or is it the Lord Jesus Christ? It’s a question we all must answer.
Jesus said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Matthew 12:30) Which one are you?
If you did an audit on your life, would it show you’re working with Christ and not against him? And just to be clear, knowing about Jesus and working with him can be drastically different.
The Bible says to “examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
If your faith is genuine and more than just knowledge, it will be shown by what you stand for and work for in your life because it will be a Christ-centered life that stands for God, his Son, and his truth.
No one wants to work against God. I know you don’t. But I also know how easy it is to get distracted by the things of this world. Maybe it’s time you recalibrated your life.
It’s time to start standing for God. As the scriptures say, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) It’s a life to be unashamed of.
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