While raising my sons, if I said it once, I said it a thousand times… “Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do solely based on the fact that it is the right thing to do.” Determining what is “right” in this day and age seems to become harder and harder by the minute.
Where once morality was a black and white issue…the lines have been blurred to the point where even people who profess to be Christians live in the gray area: walking the tightrope between selfishness and righteousness. Either being blind to what is actually right according to God’s Word or worried about the consequences of taking a stand. Imagine all the excuses you have either heard or used. “It doesn’t directly affect me or my family. It’s not my business. What difference can one person (or a small group of people) make? I don’t want to get fired, don’t want to lose a good customer...” and on and on and on.
Exodus chapter one shows a clear picture of what God will do when we stand firm and do the right thing according to His Word. The Hebrews in Egypt were fast outnumbering the Egyptians and it worried the king. He then ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all the newborn boys.
Exodus 1:17 “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”
The midwives faith in God gave them the courage to take a stand and do what was right in sparing the lives of the Hebrew babies. God does not expect us to obey the authorities over us when those orders ask us to go against Him or His Word. The Bible is full of examples where people were willing to risk their lives in order to obey God or save others. Whole nations can be caught up in immorality; thus following the majority or the authority is not always right.
Acts 5:29 “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
In the Bible right and wrong is still black and white...no middle ground, no gray area. When we take a stand for what is right, solely based on the fact that it is the right thing; God will bless us.
Exodus 1:20-21 “So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous (21) And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.”
We don’t take a stand for the blessing…we take a stand because it is right in the eyes of the Lord. How do we know what is right… by knowing His Word, by living a life of love and devotion to Him; by having that one-on-one intimate relationship with Him.
Most assuredly taking a stand can be a thing fraught with fright. However, when we are submitted totally to Him…His Spirit guides us and we move and act almost without thought.
What’s stopping you from taking a stand? Let your fear of the Lord overpower your fear of your circumstances or consequences…and let courage replace your apathy.
1st Corinthians 16: 13-14 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. (14) Do everything in love.”
Where once morality was a black and white issue…the lines have been blurred to the point where even people who profess to be Christians live in the gray area: walking the tightrope between selfishness and righteousness. Either being blind to what is actually right according to God’s Word or worried about the consequences of taking a stand. Imagine all the excuses you have either heard or used. “It doesn’t directly affect me or my family. It’s not my business. What difference can one person (or a small group of people) make? I don’t want to get fired, don’t want to lose a good customer...” and on and on and on.
Exodus chapter one shows a clear picture of what God will do when we stand firm and do the right thing according to His Word. The Hebrews in Egypt were fast outnumbering the Egyptians and it worried the king. He then ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all the newborn boys.
Exodus 1:17 “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”
The midwives faith in God gave them the courage to take a stand and do what was right in sparing the lives of the Hebrew babies. God does not expect us to obey the authorities over us when those orders ask us to go against Him or His Word. The Bible is full of examples where people were willing to risk their lives in order to obey God or save others. Whole nations can be caught up in immorality; thus following the majority or the authority is not always right.
Acts 5:29 “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
In the Bible right and wrong is still black and white...no middle ground, no gray area. When we take a stand for what is right, solely based on the fact that it is the right thing; God will bless us.
Exodus 1:20-21 “So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous (21) And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.”
We don’t take a stand for the blessing…we take a stand because it is right in the eyes of the Lord. How do we know what is right… by knowing His Word, by living a life of love and devotion to Him; by having that one-on-one intimate relationship with Him.
Most assuredly taking a stand can be a thing fraught with fright. However, when we are submitted totally to Him…His Spirit guides us and we move and act almost without thought.
What’s stopping you from taking a stand? Let your fear of the Lord overpower your fear of your circumstances or consequences…and let courage replace your apathy.
1st Corinthians 16: 13-14 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. (14) Do everything in love.”
What a wonderful, wonderful post!! I am going to copy this into my Bible study notes. You have given me so much fodo for thought. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this!
ReplyDeleteA great post. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDelete"For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Luke 21:15... this is the verse God gave to me one morning when I was praying about a situation that had upset me. When we give Him everything(consult Him) He gives us the answers we need. When we are seeking... He is faithful to answer!!
ReplyDeletePowerful post. As someone who was baptized into and attended the Episcopal Church for nearly all her 47 years, I am quite sensitive to people taking the grey area over God's Word and discounting the Bible. As I search for a new church home, I am aware many who fill the pews in Episcopal churches on Sunday morning never hear the Truth proclaimed from the pulpit, they hear a feel good message.
ReplyDeleteThe Truth sets us free!
Have a good weekend and a blessed Sabbath.
Annette
I can truly say "I did that" once when it came to witnessing to my evil father. I stood firm about telling him about Jesus, Dad cut me out of the will (he gave my inheritance to charity), but I stayed in God's Will and I have been blessed for it. We should always be on God's side (He's not on ours, we're on His). Things always turn out right that way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this uplifting post! God bless. ♥ ∞
When we stand up for Jesus, we honor Him, receive a blessing and are victorious no matter how we are received. Arise,Go forth, tell others. Good Post
ReplyDelete