Called to Take a Bold StandSample

Standing Against the World

Our best intentions of obeying God’s will often go awry because they are met by opposition, and we too soon give in to the spiritual powers luring us to do what we never intended. For instance, have you ever been nudged by God to act or speak in a certain way, but for some inexplicable reason, you didn’t, or you did the opposite, and later you thought, Why did I do that? If you are like most people, you’ve done it more times than you’d care to admit. Even the eminent apostle Paul experienced these kinds of conflicts and expressed his frustration, saying, “What I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15 NKJV).

The Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV). God’s unwillingness for any to perish doesn’t mean He turns a blind eye to sinful conduct and allows people to go to heaven by default—quite the opposite! Humanity’s default is hell. That truth hurts because it’s meant to. God intervened by providing a way out of our predicament. He offered a way of escape, and He wants everyone to take it.

Jesus Christ went bloodied and bruised to the cross. He died, was buried, and rose victorious on the third day, wiping out “the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14 NKJV). Jesus destroyed the grip of hell. He canceled sin’s power, erasing our guilt and shame!

Once you fully grasp the depth of God’s forgiveness, you are willing to do whatever God asks. We’ve been commanded by God to go to our people and our culture in whatever city, state, and nation we live in. We are to speak and preach and talk and live and do all we can to show the world about our God. Our mission as Christians is urgent, and it requires a soldier’s focus.

Far too many among us have lost the sense of urgency that comes with Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples. We brush shoulders daily with those at the office, at school, around town, or on the subway, but if we could see hell stirring beneath our unbelieving co-workers and acquaintances, see it waiting with its mouth wide open, we would break down in tears. My intention isn’t to condemn but to ask you to consider what is at stake. I am calling you to be focused on the mission God has given you. Will you say, “Here I am! Send me”?

The more you and I follow God, the more we will upset people, but we must be careful that our agenda is God’s, not vice versa. The world will not be on your side when you follow Christ with a depth of thought, commitment, and urgency. And I will go so far as to say that some would crucify you as they did Him, if they could.