Strength in this World
The Executive Director of the Gay Christian Network, Justin Lee, wrote that Christians are Christian’s worst enemies. He continues, “in my book TORN: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, I argue that we Christians have often become our own worst enemies. In many communities, our reputation is that of uncompassionate culture warriors, quick to shout about gays or abortion or political candidates, but slow to show grace and mercy in our everyday lives.”
In other words, Mr. Lee would prefer for Christians always to be cowardly and show grace. He continues to write, “And these acts of ungrace by Christians have far more power to damage Christianity’s reputation and influence than any attack launched at the church from the outside.” The question to ask is, should Christians be cowardly and weak in what they do? Let us look at what the Biblical text states.
Let me begin by stating that I believe there is only one truth. Jesus is truth. If any self-called “Christian” states otherwise, they are being woke. Jesus was clear on the subject, and there was not an addition to what he stated. In other words, the first principle stand a Christians have to be strong in is the concrete belief that Jesus is the only way.
Secondly, while our calling is to forgive and show grace, we are not called to be weak—quite the contrary. Christians call is to love and not hate. Let me explain how this shows bravery. If you love someone, you try to keep them from ultimate destruction. The ultimate destruction is the eternal inescapability of Hell.
From a more secular point of view, if you knew of anyone, friend or foe, who you loved, you would warn them about the danger ahead. The world wants to push this picture of Jesus who would be accepting of anyone and anything. This is not true, nor Biblical.
Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his disciples:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Jesus continued, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus never stated that the Old Testament law was to be absolved. This law is extensive and very clear on social norms that we quickly disavow in the 2021 world in which we live. Let us look at an example with the new theory of “gender identification.”
Jesus taught in Mark 10:6, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” Most of you may have noticed that the Savior did not give room for expansion of the 31 genders that New York City or others may accept. It was male and female, period. The world wants Christians to take the “grace” way to accept any genders thrown our way. This now becomes a slippery slope for how society is formed.
The strength that Christians should show is to educate on how foolish this societal norm is. It is not Biblical, nor does it align with what Jesus taught.
Paul’s Writings on Christian Strength
To go a step further, Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-13:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Paul the Apostle
Do you see any lack of strength in what Paul is writing? Neither do I. We, as Christians, understand that we have an enemy. This enemy wants to trample the most common sense, biological, and Biblical standards we have. Jesus taught, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24)
Our call is to take a “stand” and show strength in all that we do. Now let’s talk about the “grace” that Mr. Lee was talking about. Should we be forgiving? Yes. Should we show grace and love? Absolutely. Should we cower to new societal standards? Absolutely not. Refer back to the discussion on what real love is.
Real love warns of doom. This includes any sin, not just the ones we pick from. Lying is not a Christian principle, neither is murder. Both are what we call sin. The Bible is clear that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). What is not stated is that grace is a license to sin.
Strength and Righteous Living
As Christians, we should strive for righteous living. 1 John 2:28-29 states, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” In other words, if we call ourselves Christians, we should hold to righteous living.
We understand that we will never be perfect. Paul gives great detail about “things he would and wouldnt do,” but we stay strong in Biblical principle. This is not an easy task to do in the world in which we live. Take note that if you remain strong, the world will hate you, but you are in good company.
Jesus taught, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” Don’t be surprised by the haters. So what should we do? Put on the whole armor of God, be strong, and stand. I believe that Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 16:13, ” Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
More episodes from 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics
- What in the World is Wrong with Everybody? | Episode 33
- The Dangerous Doctrines of False Churches| Episode 32
- Strong Christians need to be Awakened, Not Woke | Episode 31
- The Spiritual Church is a Hospital for Sinners | Episode 29
- Sometimes Throw Stones, Sometimes Never Attack | Episode 28
