Pastor’s Corner: “Take a Stand for Jesus”
Philippians 1:14 (NLT) – 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
In the current political, racial and emotional climate of the nation and the world, it is becoming more and more difficult to take a stand publically for Jesus Christ. This is not the time to shrink back and sit down, but the time to press in (to God) and stand up. God wants you to have courage and stand up for his ways when everyone else sits down. But it’s not just for your own good. It’s for the good of others, too.
When you stand up publicly for what God wants, you’ll encourage other believers. When you stand up for God, other people will follow. Courage is contagious. You never know how many people will join you until you courageously step out in faith. Most people are waiting for a leader to show some courage. They’re waiting for someone like you to demonstrate some faith.
How do we stand up for God? Share your story. You have an amazing story to tell. Now, you may not be an apologist or a theologian or a Bible scholar, but you’re an expert on your own story. And one of the most effective ways to share your faith is to begin with your personal story. As believers, it’s one of the most effective tools we have in our evangelistic toolbox. After all, people can argue with you about what the Bible says and argue with you about other things, but they can’t argue with your story of how Christ transformed you. They can’t argue with what God has done for you. This is your testimony.
Revelation 12 there’s an interesting verse that says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12:11 nkjv). This describes Christians who are in Heaven and have overcome the powers of evil. How did they do it? One of the keys is “by the word of their testimony.” Do people know you’re a Christian? Does your family know you’re a Christian? Do people in your workplace know you’re a Christian? Do people in your neighborhood know you’re a Christian?
The moment you own it, the moment you take that stand and say you’re a follower of Christ, people will be watching you (and secretly hoping you’ll mess up). Yet you may be the only gospel some people will ever read. And God will use your courage to help others respond with courage.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton