Will You Stand?

What do you believe and how often do you stand up for your beliefs? What would you do to ensure your desired standards and convictions are protected?

For years I’ve heard it said, “You’ve gotta stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” A version of this saying appeared in a Methodist church announcement in an Iowa newspaper in 1926 and it’s commonly repeated in numerous and varying settings. God’s Word repeatedly warns us to be on guard and stand firm. (See Romans 12:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Peter 3:17.) A timeless concept that seems more applicable today than ever before.

“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” 2 Peter 3:17 (NLT)

A Time to Fight Back

Not long ago, a small Mississippi town took a stand when they were threatened with a $500,000 lawsuit for flying the Christian flag at their Veteran’s Memorial Park.[1]When the flag was taken down in response to the threat, motorcycle riders took to the streets wearing Christian flags on their backs and flying Christian flags on their bikes, as residents vowed to fight back and re-hoist the flag.[2]Less then six months later – the Christian flag was flying again in this faith-filled town that was determined to stand firm.[3]

How far would you go to protect your beliefs? What about your belief in God?

According to the Pew Research Center, the vast majority of American’s do believe in God.[4]But, What we actually believe about God and how important this belief is to us, are important questions that need to be addressed.

Do we truly believe God is all-knowing, ever-present, full of mercy and grace? Do we accept He loves us unconditionally, judges us justly, and desires to be personally involved in our everyday lives? Do we trust the Bible is tried and true? And — are we willing to fight back when others try to suppress God and Scripture or attempt to eliminate access to these timeless truths to future generations?

According to the Barna Research Group, skepticism of the Bible as a sufficient guide for living a meaningful life is on the rise.[5]They report readership of God’s Word is dropping, that only one-third of Americans even claim to read the Bible each week.[6]

But — did you know, there is scientific evidence proving God’s Word is transformational? Did you know that the more you read the Bible, the less likely you are to engage in destructive, risky behaviors? According to scientific research conducted by Back to the Bible, there are significant behavioral differences between those who engage God’s Word four or more times a week and those who don’t.[7]

Do you believe the Bible has the ability to change your life? Do you make it a daily practice to read, study, and commit God’s Word to memory? Are you willing to join others in defending God and His Word when they are attacked?

[1]The Blaze, Watch: Small Mississippi town fights back after mayor forced to remove Christian flag, by Chris Enloe, http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/02/05/watch-small-mississippi-town-fights-back-after-mayor-forced-to-remove-christian-flag/, accessed 2-7-17.

[2]Ibid.

[3]News Mississippi: Town of Rienzi evades $500,000 religious lawsuit and raises Christian flag again, June 26, 2017, by Jared Bounds https://newsms.fm/town-of-rienzi-ms-evades-500000-religious-lawsuit-raises-christian-flag-again/, accessed 8-31-18.

[4]Pew Research Center, Chapter 1: Importance of Religion and Religious Beliefs, http://www.pewforum.org/2015/11/03/chapter-1-importance-of-religion-and-religious-beliefs/#belief-in-god, accessed 2-7-17.

[5]Barna Research Group, The Bible in America: 6 – Year Trends, https://www.barna.com/research/the-bible-in-america-6-year-trends/#, accessed 2-7-17.

[6]Ibid.

[7]Arnold Cole, Ed.D. and Pamela Caudill Ovwigho, Ph.D., Understanding the Bible Engagement Challenge: Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4,https://www.backtothebible.org/files/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf, accessed 9-2-17.