Take a Stand

Taking a stand is becoming increasingly difficult. The reality is that we may be seen as offensive if we do. In a world that seems upside down, it is easy to understand why.

Yet, for a “Christ Follower”, this is exactly what is required.  

In Jesus' day, people also feared that standing up would cost too much. This led many to submit to authorities even when they knew they should stand.

The story of the blind man Jesus encountered, where He placed mud on his eyes and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, is a prime example. After being healed, the man was taken before the Pharisees and questioned. He answered by saying I do not know if this man is a sinner or not; all I know is I was blind, and now I see.

Then, we see the fear of taking a stand lived out in the townspeople who knew or had seen the man. Yet they weren't sure they knew who he was now that he could see. His parents, when asked, admitted he was their son, but would not celebrate his receiving sight for fear of being put out of the Temple.

Why? Because the desire for self-preservation can be greater than the willingness to take a stand.

This is the point of this paper. Your belief, as it did for Paul and the other disciples of Jesus, may cost you everything, but the willingness to take a stand may be our greatest opportunity to live out our faith before others.

The question we must ask is, will I stand up and out when my faith in Jesus is challenged? I suppose we won’t truly know until we are forced to “take a stand”!

Philippians 1:27

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” –