Christians Stand Up and Get Off the Fence!

What is it about Christians today that makes us throw our values out the window in order to: go along with the crowd, preserve a friendship, have a chance at fame, make a lot of money, or be popular.

I believe Christians need to take a hard look at who and what they are supporting. We are supposed to look different from the world! No, this won't make you the most popular person in your circle or on the Internet or at work but, it will mean you are living in light of eternity and striving to please the Lord, Jesus Christ and to honor him with your life. 

Are you supporting and praising someone who is double-minded? Someone who is compromising their beliefs for the sake of popularity, attention or glory? Friendship is a blessing, but, it cannot be more important than godliness.

Sometimes we may need to call people out if they are claiming to love Jesus but are disparaging his name in a very public way. 

Some may say that: losing a friend, feeling like an outsider, being excluded from things, being called "holier than thou" or whatever the current insulting term may be, are forms of persecution and are too difficult to handle. I say, "You call that persecution!?"

Think of all of those from days gone by who were jailed, tortured, beheaded and burned at the stake for believing in Christ and preaching the gospel! And not only in days gone by....today, there are hundreds of missionaries and believers around the world who are putting their very lives on the line to possess a Bible or teach the Word of God. That is persecution!

We are soft Christians in America today. We think we are persecuted because we aren't invited to happy hour with the rest of our coworkers or because someone curses at us for having a Christian bumper sticker on our car. If someone is professing to be a Christian and promoting sensual, crude or profane behavior, language or attitudes...call him out on it! We need to hold each other accountable. If you lose them as a friend, at least you will have been obedient to God in defending his name and reputation. 

"Facebook" is a prime example of this. There is a lot of ungodly behavior, dress and attitudes that show up on this site among Christians. There can be a sort of "look the other way" mentality. Let's not be afraid, ashamed or too apathetic to stand up for what 's right!

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  Ephesians 4:23-24

Also see all of  Ephesians Chapter 5!