He was his own man, tending to his responsibilities, but standing firm for his beliefs, no matter the outcome.”
–Chris Mullen (Rowdy: Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen)
“But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household. And we are that household if we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope.”
–Hebrews 3:6 (HCSB)
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“Prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…”
–Philippians 2:15-16 (NASB)
“Holding tightly to the word of life…”
–Philippians 2:16 (NLT)
God’s call is very clear to us. In a society of confusion, of hate and bitterness, and living in a nation where people sneer and spurn the name of Jesus Christ, God’s call is very clear. We are to stay blameless, we are not to be involved in the works of the world, and we are still to be lights to an ever darkening world. We are to prove ourselves and hold tightly to the word of God.
Little needs to be said if one has followed the news the past few years. We call it “liberalism” but in reality, it is nothing more than part of Satan’s evil agenda. And the Church, what about the Church? The true Church, the one that holds fast to the doctrine does not need to worry, However, many churches and ministers are complacent, compromising, and even attaching themselves to these demonic ideologies. Gary Inrig writes, “Much more than I want to admit, many Christians live, act, and choose as if God’s Word has never been written. Hmmm, take time to read the indictments given by the prophets to Israel.
In this time and world in which we live we must, as true believers, understand that God is righteous–He is a holy God. Misery overtakes people who forsake the holy God. Listen, sin is not an insignificant thing to be passed over lightly; it is an affront to God’s righteous character. The words of Christ in Revelation should be taken to heart:
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lamp stand out of its place–unless you repent.” (2:4-5, NASB)
Know this–God is sovereign. He orders all the forces of nature and history in accordance with His righteous will, thus working out His judgment upon nations. Notice, when you study the prophets, of the corruption in the courts, then take a look at our court system and what is happening. Many judges and other leaders follow the agenda of devils. Do not turn a deaf ear, listen, God is still on the throne.
My friend, in confused and troublesome times, we are not to neglect the importance of faith. Stand firm, hold tightly to the Word of God, the word of life. Gary Inrig states, “We are to be agents of our King, pressing His kingdom and its values into our culture and forming communities that are outposts of His kingdom, demonstrating to the world another, and a better, way to live life.” If people do not accept the values of a holy God, you hold tightly to them.
Read the Book of Judges; it is a book about hard and immoral times. Leaders were called to make a stand–to lead and guide a wayward people. As believers we are called to make that same stand, perhaps not on a national level, but to stand wherever you are. Stand up, hold tightly to the truth, prove yourself and let God raise you up in such a time.