How can I take a stand on an issue? Should I take a stand?
14-May-10 (updated 2-Jun-10)
I’m sure you have noticed that we’re “not in Kansas anymore” in terms of politics, economics & freedom, namely religious freedom. There is an increasingly perilous assault on Christian truth in virtually every area. Now all these things can be disturbing enough just because they are attacking the very values we hold dear. However, the bigger picture is about the Gospel.
Time & time again, your enemy, the devil (1 Pet 5.8) conjures up every sort of lie in order to take captive anyone he can (2 Tim 2.26). The lies always start out subtle, then quickly become consuming. Look at the preposterous notion of evolution & how many it has lead away from being discipled. Now it is assumed as fact & exclusively taught in public schools worldwide & causing many to doubt. Lies about family, sexuality, history, economics, sociology, politics & other things are innumerable.
How is this tied to the Gospel? As God’s truth about various subjects is suppressed, a lie is ushered into its place. Then, anyone that threatens the lie is considered “intolerant”, “phobic”, “bigoted”, “old-fashioned” or “unscientific”. The next thing you know, corporate policies & government laws are put in place under the guise of “diversity”, “civil rights” & “separation of church & state”. Now you have a situation where the masses can’t distinguish right & wrong (Hos 4.5-6, Ps 12.8) & someone can be “offended” because they know you’re a Christian, you pray, voice religious convictions, read the Bible in public or merely disagree with them. Behold an environment that is increasingly hostile to the Gospel. Both, trying to live a godly life & sharing the Gospel are already challenging enough, but with increasing cultural pressure it will be even more so.
While this actual unfolding of Romans 1.18-32 shouldn’t be a huge surprise, as Christians we should do what we can to keep the ground fertile for the Gospel seed. In fact, Jesus calls us to be salt (Mt 5.13) which has not only a savory connotation, but a preserving & cleansing one. The Lord also calls us to be light (Mt 5.14-16). Yes, bright & reflective of God through godly living (1 Pet 2.12), but you can’t do that without also being revealing (Jn 3.19-21, 7.7). Elsewhere, Scripture entreats us to use our light to expose evil (Eph 5.8-17).
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. – Jesus in Mt 10.22
Furthermore, the Bible calls us to take a stand (Eph 6.10-13). Not against people, but to stand our ground & stand against the devil’s schemes. Of course, we hate the sin & love the sinner. The real enemy is Satan with his scheme of lies that have taken many captive (2 Tim 2.25-26). We must stand against those schemes by destroying godless philosophies that oppose the knowledge & truth of God (2 Cor 10.4-5). The problem is that people hold these philosophies. Therefore, we must do it in a wise, respectful & loving way (Mt 10.16, 1 Pet 3.15-17). But please understand that sometimes love involves disclosing potent truth to expose lethal lies (Pr 27.5-6, Rom 12.9).
Fortunately, we don’t have to do this on our own – we couldn’t if we tried (Jn 15.5). We are simply tools used by God to achieve His will (Rom 6.13, Eph 2.10). This is the Lord’s battle & He faithfully provides what is needed – His Spirit, His Word, His power, His strength & His promises (2 Cor 10.3-4, Eph 6.10, 2 Pet 1.3-4).
I would like to simply encourage you to take a stand on these issues as they come up (Eph 6.10-18). This can be as simple as mentioning a Bible verse or interjecting biblical truth in conversations regarding moral or other issues. Call, write or email your appropriate government representatives concerning pertinent legislation (The American Family Association is a good resource for this - sign up for Action Alerts). Also, we can take advantage of our free press & write letters to the editor for publication. While many large newspapers are liberal, God could arrange them to publish your article or just to reach their employee reading your submission. Smaller local papers may be more effective than you think. If your employer’s policies or training material are objectionable, write to your human resources department or call their anonymous hotline if one’s available. In whatever form it is, it must be done in a prayerful, fact-based & Christ-honoring way (Col 4.5-6, 1 Pet 3.15-17). Remember, the goal is to be salt & light that ultimately results in praise to your Father in heaven (Mt 5.16). And know that God is bigger than any organization (Jer 32.27), more capable than we can imagine (Eph 3.20) & can do much with a little (1 Sam 17.45-47).
If we only attempt what we think we can do, that is all we will get – what we can do. If we attempt what God is leading us to do, we will get what He can do & can witness the extraordinary. Never underestimate the power of taking action & never underestimate the danger of complacency. Stand-Persevere-Overcome!
Time & time again, your enemy, the devil (1 Pet 5.8) conjures up every sort of lie in order to take captive anyone he can (2 Tim 2.26). The lies always start out subtle, then quickly become consuming. Look at the preposterous notion of evolution & how many it has lead away from being discipled. Now it is assumed as fact & exclusively taught in public schools worldwide & causing many to doubt. Lies about family, sexuality, history, economics, sociology, politics & other things are innumerable.
How is this tied to the Gospel? As God’s truth about various subjects is suppressed, a lie is ushered into its place. Then, anyone that threatens the lie is considered “intolerant”, “phobic”, “bigoted”, “old-fashioned” or “unscientific”. The next thing you know, corporate policies & government laws are put in place under the guise of “diversity”, “civil rights” & “separation of church & state”. Now you have a situation where the masses can’t distinguish right & wrong (Hos 4.5-6, Ps 12.8) & someone can be “offended” because they know you’re a Christian, you pray, voice religious convictions, read the Bible in public or merely disagree with them. Behold an environment that is increasingly hostile to the Gospel. Both, trying to live a godly life & sharing the Gospel are already challenging enough, but with increasing cultural pressure it will be even more so.
While this actual unfolding of Romans 1.18-32 shouldn’t be a huge surprise, as Christians we should do what we can to keep the ground fertile for the Gospel seed. In fact, Jesus calls us to be salt (Mt 5.13) which has not only a savory connotation, but a preserving & cleansing one. The Lord also calls us to be light (Mt 5.14-16). Yes, bright & reflective of God through godly living (1 Pet 2.12), but you can’t do that without also being revealing (Jn 3.19-21, 7.7). Elsewhere, Scripture entreats us to use our light to expose evil (Eph 5.8-17).
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. – Jesus in Mt 10.22
Furthermore, the Bible calls us to take a stand (Eph 6.10-13). Not against people, but to stand our ground & stand against the devil’s schemes. Of course, we hate the sin & love the sinner. The real enemy is Satan with his scheme of lies that have taken many captive (2 Tim 2.25-26). We must stand against those schemes by destroying godless philosophies that oppose the knowledge & truth of God (2 Cor 10.4-5). The problem is that people hold these philosophies. Therefore, we must do it in a wise, respectful & loving way (Mt 10.16, 1 Pet 3.15-17). But please understand that sometimes love involves disclosing potent truth to expose lethal lies (Pr 27.5-6, Rom 12.9).
Fortunately, we don’t have to do this on our own – we couldn’t if we tried (Jn 15.5). We are simply tools used by God to achieve His will (Rom 6.13, Eph 2.10). This is the Lord’s battle & He faithfully provides what is needed – His Spirit, His Word, His power, His strength & His promises (2 Cor 10.3-4, Eph 6.10, 2 Pet 1.3-4).
I would like to simply encourage you to take a stand on these issues as they come up (Eph 6.10-18). This can be as simple as mentioning a Bible verse or interjecting biblical truth in conversations regarding moral or other issues. Call, write or email your appropriate government representatives concerning pertinent legislation (The American Family Association is a good resource for this - sign up for Action Alerts). Also, we can take advantage of our free press & write letters to the editor for publication. While many large newspapers are liberal, God could arrange them to publish your article or just to reach their employee reading your submission. Smaller local papers may be more effective than you think. If your employer’s policies or training material are objectionable, write to your human resources department or call their anonymous hotline if one’s available. In whatever form it is, it must be done in a prayerful, fact-based & Christ-honoring way (Col 4.5-6, 1 Pet 3.15-17). Remember, the goal is to be salt & light that ultimately results in praise to your Father in heaven (Mt 5.16). And know that God is bigger than any organization (Jer 32.27), more capable than we can imagine (Eph 3.20) & can do much with a little (1 Sam 17.45-47).
If we only attempt what we think we can do, that is all we will get – what we can do. If we attempt what God is leading us to do, we will get what He can do & can witness the extraordinary. Never underestimate the power of taking action & never underestimate the danger of complacency. Stand-Persevere-Overcome!
Related Pages
No Apologies
Provocative Questions About Taking Proactive Action
1st Letter to HR
2nd Letter to HR
3rd Letter to HR
This-N-That (contains links to published newspaper articles)
Are Christians judgmental? Thou shall not judge?
Provocative Questions About Taking Proactive Action
1st Letter to HR
2nd Letter to HR
3rd Letter to HR
This-N-That (contains links to published newspaper articles)
Are Christians judgmental? Thou shall not judge?
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: ... a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, (<-not people) a time for war and a time for peace. - Eccl 3.1, 7-8 |
Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor. - Pr 12.24 (I think this can be applied to social & political action as well as physical labor) |
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? - Est 4.14
|
Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy Name. - Ps 97.10-12 |