Take a Stand

My husband taught Sunday School yesterday on “Taking a Stand For Christ”. It was so convicting to me!

It brought this story to mind. This is taken from Today in the Word from Moody Global Ministries…

“During China’s Boxer Rebellion of 1900, insurgents captured a mission station, blocked all the gates but one, and in front of that one gate placed a cross flat on the ground. Then the word was passed to those inside that any who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life, but that any refusing would be shot. Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act. Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross, and went out to face the firing squad. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to the firing squad. (Today in the Word, Feb. 89, p. 17).”

As I think of that girl tiptoeing around the cross, one word comes to mind.  Reverence. What godly lives must have been lived in front of that little girl at home!!  Do I talk so much about my love for God and what He’s done for me, that my children know how precious He is? Do they know how important the cross of Calvary is? Do they know what it cost other people so that I could have my Bible?  Do they know what it cost Jesus, just so I wouldn’t have to go to hell?  I’m not saying that I want my child to be shot for taking a stand for Christ.  How heartbreaking that would be!!  But I do want to live a life that is pleasing to God in front of my children so they know without a doubt that God is the most important thing to me.  I want it to give them the strength to take a stand for Christ.  So that they can follow in my footsteps and do what’s right even when everyone else is doing wrong.

Is my cell phone the thing that is most precious to me?  They know how to carefully hand it to me so it doesn’t fall.  What about my Bible?  Do they know to hold it as carefully and reverently as my expensive phone?   Don’t bother mama while I’m working on editing pictures.  I’ve got to get these done, gotta get these posted on Facebook.  Do they know to be quiet instead while I read God’s word and pray?  Do they hear me cry and lift their names in prayer?  Do they ever see me as passionate about God as I am other things?

Is what I believe worth dying for?

Is what you believe worth dying for? If you only go to church sometimes to soothe your conscience, would you die for that?  If you only pray when things get tough but as soon as they get better you forget about God, would you really take a bullet for that?  If you only try to do good things and live a good life would you really lay down that same life for Christ’s sake?

People take stands for and against things all the time.  They are passionate about them. They risk everything for them.  Sometimes, they die for them.  Our country.  Breast cancer. Diseases. Spousal abuse. Abortion. Gay marriage. The list goes on and on.  Usually the people who take the biggest stand are the ones who have been directly affected. The ones who have experienced the death of a lost loved one to cancer.  The ones who have a family member serving in the military. The ones who have been beaten and escaped an abusive relationship.  The parents of children who battle a disease with no cure.  They fight to find that cure.

I have experienced the grace and forgiveness of a holy God. I have been saved from an eternity in hell. I have a friendship with the creator of the universe.  I have been affected by the blessings He has poured out on my life.  I know the cure for every heartache there is.  Every trouble.  Every spiritual disease.  Where is my voice then?  Where is my stand?

You don’t have to believe me or agree with what I say. But countless souls have been martyred for their love of God. Because they stood up for what they believed. Because they shared the gospel.  Because they fought to preserve God’s word. Because they would not renounce Christ.  You know why?  Because they were recipients of a supernatural saving grace. They had a heavenly home awaiting them, and nothing in this world could make them deny the very ONE who gave them new life.  Is what you’re holding on to enough to get you to heaven?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s time for me to take a stand.  It’s time for me to stop caring what others think. Because my children’s lives and freedoms hang in the balance.  Because there is a whole world dying who don’t know Christ.  Because I, as a Christian, have one commission in this life.  And I’m afraid I’m not fulfilling it as God wants me to.

“I will share the gospel and I will live the truth.  All I say and do will glorify His name. Even though it costs me everything it’s a price I’ll gladly pay.  For the cause of Christ I’ll live my life, unashamed.”

God gave everything He had for me. How can I give Him any less?

Take a listen to this song by Brian Free and Assurance.  I want it to be true in my life. It is so powerful!

https://youtu.be/R9TAL2DMer0