“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” -- Hebrews 11:1
Are you willing to defend your beliefs and faith? Or are you apt to compromise when challenged?
We are truly blessed to live in a country where our rights and freedom are protected. Yet we often experience pressure to choose political correctness over truth and compromise over standing up for what we believe in. In order to protect the feelings of those with opposing views, we commonly face a temptation to keep quiet about our beliefs.
Whether from family, friends, co-workers, or society, we are all susceptible to the influence of peer pressure. Therefore, we must take notice of these sometimes subtle enticements that encourage us to go with the flow and discourage us from standing firm in our faith.
God wants to be our primary influence and not others. He wants us to strengthen our faith, grow our courage muscles, and stand up for His truth. Too often, we find ourselves doing just the opposite. Allowing society to impact us rather than allowing us to impact our society.
In John 17, we have a record of Jesus’s prayer for His disciples; followers of Christ, you and me. In His Prayer, He asks God to “keep” (guard, watch, keep an eye on) those who follow Him. But another important phrase found in this passage is “They are not of the world.” Meaning, even though we are in the world, we are not to fall prey to its enticements and temptations where we become “of the world.” Rather we are set apart, called to be different, (Colossians 3:10), and ready for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).
“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” -- John 17:15-19 (NASB)
Therefore, the next time you are tempted to go with the flow, remain quiet, or compromise your convictions and follow the crowd — remember, God is calling you to courageously embrace your separateness from the world and live a godlier life.
Exercise your courage muscles this week and speak the truth in love when you find yourself in a situation where you are being tempted, pressured, or challenged regarding your faith.
