Be Strong!

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love ” (1 Corinthians 16:13,14). Thus says the Word of God. Christians are being exhorted to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith . . . be strong.” Is has become increasingly difficult in our beloved America, land of the free, to stand in the faith and be strong for God. “Political correctness” is one of the main culprits. Politics, corruption, greed, lawlessness, and confusion appear to be at all levels of society.   

One only has to listen to the rhetoric and false promises from candidates running for public office. Charges and counter charges and personal attacks leave much to be desired. They promise a lot and deliver on few or none. It is most amazing that some of these candidates have guilty secrets just waiting to be uncovered as the public has seen many times. Some years ago a cartoon appeared in the newspaper which read, “What this country needs is someone who knows what this country needs.” That may be true to some extent. 

Of major concern is that Christians have remained too “silent,” or have been silenced for far too long. We were not saved only to be taken out of the world soon after. God has saved us for His divine purposes and requires that we play an active and essential role in the world. First and foremost in the hearts and minds of Christians is “winning of souls” for Jesus Christ. “He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30 KJV). We all want to be wise.

Although we are an enlightened society, yet it’s no secret that there is much rebellion against God, His Church, His cause, and His people. We see the destruction of houses of worship by arson and other means. A person with a total disregard for human life enters a church building or a synagog and randomly shoot innocent worshippers and others. Under our constitution, is there something called “freedom of worship?” 

In view of the brevity and uncertainty of life, let us stand up and be counted. There is no time like the present. The Scripture exhorts, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). A missed opportunity was a chance we missed by not taking advantage of it. Let’s not forget “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador is a country’s official representative to a foreign country. So is the Christian as God representative to the world.

Admittedly, taking a stand for the things which are most surely believed among us is not always easy. It requires commitment, prayer, inspiration, and encouragement. And God is fully aware and will provide the help and resources that are needed. Let us remember we pass this way only once. “Only one life ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last” (C.T. Studd, 1860-1931, English missionary to China). The following is very noteworthy, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” (John Wesley, theologian and evangelist, 1703-1791).

Christians are saved to bring glory and honor to God. Failure will result when this is lacking. Paul commended the Galatians for “running well.” However, they were not finishing well. Hence, he said to them, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). The same could be said of some of us today. If we endeavor to run well, surely we must also endeavor to finish well, in obedience to God’s word. The Scripture says “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up?” (Galatians 6:9). Reaping time will come. Rewards are in our favor.

Let us therefore be steadfast and not doubt or waver when our faith is put to the test. James writes, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

The world is not getting to be a better place for Christians. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). However, we are kept by the grace and mercy of God Almighty who saves, keeps, and satisfies. And also, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). Let us keep on keeping on and “occupy” until the Master returns. The prospects are good. The righteous will never be moved and neither be afraid because our hope and trust is in the Lord, and our expectation is from Him who cannot  fail.