Called to Take a Bold Standਨਮੂਨਾ

You Are Called to Stand

It is hard to imagine World War 2 without the United States’ involvement, but it nearly happened. While Hitler’s army rolled unchecked through Germany’s neighboring countries, U.S. politicians argued about what role, if any, this country should play. Situated between two vast oceans, America believed it could play it safe and remain neutral—until the morning of December 7, 1941. Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor finally ended the debate. War had come to American soil. The following day, Congress declared war on Japan. Germany and Italy—Japan’s allies—responded by declaring war against the United States. With evil rising on the other side of both the Atlantic and Pacific, neutrality was no longer a luxury or option. That “foreign war” was now our war. It was time to get involved. Would history have been different if the U.S. had acted earlier?

Considering the horrific loss of life (innocent civilians, soldiers, and the estimated six million Jews who perished), this is a valid question. There is little doubt that the outcomes could have been different. Today, too much of the professing church resembles America at the start of World War 2—content to look the other way out of fear or apathy or both. When you consider the unwillingness of the church to engage enemies of the gospel inside its walls and outside its gates, the comparison is striking. American leaders could see the warning signs but did not take them seriously. Likewise, some Christians feel that their congregation or organization is insulated or isolated from evil influences, saying, “It’ll never happen here.” And others believe that through appeasement, they’ll be left alone. I think we need to be reminded of Roosevelt’s words of warning regarding the futility of hiding, because whenever fear disables action, there will be consequences. Like it or not, war has come to our doorstep.

At this moment, the stakes in this all-out war are higher than ever. The time for complacency, as if there ever was one, is long past. It is time to engage those warring against biblical Christianity by taking a bold stand. And by a bold stand, I mean living out a biblically-based, passionate, bold faith—resilient, immovable, and incredibly effective in the last days. Doing anything less neutralizes the church, rendering it ineffective in fulfilling its calling to spread the gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ. It causes our faith to cease being relevant, useful, or capable of being salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14). In a word, bold!

Today, the challenge for every Christ-follower is this: Are you willing to take our Lord at His word, believe what He says, and take a stand? Will you decide to make a difference? I urge you to say yes for this reason: However small your efforts may appear, heaven takes a far different view. Believe me when I say that what you do now matters in eternity.

Formulating a strategy for a bold and courageous stand requires a clear understanding of the strength and vitality of what you’ve become in Christ. As you encounter biblical truth, may you make honest assessments and, when needed, pray, “Lord, please work this characteristic or that way of thinking into my life. From this day forward, help me to never back down or surrender in the fight to uphold the truth of Your Word. O Lord, make me courageous. Help me to develop a bold faith that is equal to taking on these darkening days.”