O God, I am so thankful for the salvation you have brought me. I am in awe of the faith you have entrusted to me. Please Lord, grant me the boldness and wisdom needed to stand firm in that faith and guard its truths for your glory.
“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do this with gentleness and respect.” (1Pet. 3:15) Here is an incredible privilege the Lord bestows on His children – the opportunity to share the hope that is in them with those who ask. I wonder just how many doors the Lord has opened for this exact conversation. Truly there is no more fulfilling discussion than to be invited to share the wonderful truth of the saving message of Jesus Christ. Of course it still requires boldness on our part to step through that open door, what a tragedy if we miss that opportunity. However, I trust that God’s children are longing for such a chance and will be compelled to share the truth in those settings. As encouraged as I am by most Christian’s willingness when the environment is favorable, I am deeply concerned with most Christian’s fearfulness when the truth of Jesus Christ is opposed.
“Beloved, although I was eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed… ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3-4)
Our world is full of lies. People make up all sorts of things. These lies range from seemingly small matters to monstrous false religious systems. Literal heresy abounds in our world today, and many “Christians” stand idly by without a peep. Some “so-called” Christians even buy into some of these lies, and so the deception reaches into our very churches. These things should not be. The scriptures call us to a very different response to heresy:
“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers… who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain… This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith.” (Titus 1:10-11, 13)
By God’s design, the Truth has been entrusted to the church. We are called to defend that truth with boldness and even with “severity” when necessary. This is in no way a call for us to become callous or even rude. Instead this speaks to a level of boldness that Christians are to embody when it comes to standing up for the gospel truths of Christianity. Too often however, we are haunted with the fear of being judged by others. We are afraid people will ostracize us or that we will be outwitted and made to look foolish. We would do well to remember that the message of the cross has always been considered foolishness to the world (1Cor. 1:18). That of course does not remove the responsibility God has called us to in defending that reality. How will anyone be saved from the snare of false religion and erroneous belief, if we who know the truth are too scared to speak up? How will the lost be found if not by the truth? Is not allowing falsehood and heresy to rule unchecked a betrayal to the Lord we know is True?
“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (2Cor. 11:2-4)
O God, grant us the strength of conviction that will drive us to stand for your truth. Please Lord, may we not cower in fear. Bless us Lord with a desire to know your word, that we might proclaim it and lead others to faith in your Son.
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