Boldness

Being a Christian is a bold move these days. Simply stating that you believe in Jesus Christ will have people gunning for your throat. You will quickly be told not to push your beliefs on someone else. All the while, that same person is telling you what they believe. And your supposed to accept it. At the very least, it will turn some away from you. Sometimes, you don’t have to say a word. The way you live your life will be noticed by another. Some are waiting for your downfall, and others look at you for inspiration. In short, following Christ is not for naught.

As of late, I’ve read a great deal of negative comments (gotta love Facebook) on how Christians are hypocrites. These people attack the truthfulness of the Bible, and debate for days about lost scriptures, what they can/can’t do, not judging, etc. all in an effort to discredit Christianity.

Why?

In this America, we are supposed to be tolerant individuals that accept everything, right? Christians are expected to be all about acceptance which exposes a unique problem.

Christ didn’t accept everything. So, If I’m a follower of Christ, then why should I accept something He wouldn’t?

If you need an example, then look no further than Jesus’s encounter with the adulterous woman (John chp 8). In the Mosatic law, people caught in the act of adultry were to be stoned to death. The Scribes and Pharisees (religious rulers of the law) brought this woman to Jesus as a test. They wanted to see how Jesus would handle the situation. However, they forgot one thing.

The guy.

Yes, it takes two in these matters, and this nameless man was nowhere to be seen. The woman? She was in danger of losing her life. Jesus knelt down and began to write in the sand. He stood up and said, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” He knelt back down and began to write again. The woman’s accuser’s left one by one to which Jesus replied,”Where are your accusers? I condemn thee not. Go and sin no more.”

In today’s world, the above situation would be discussed as follows:

It’s not anyone’s business if they are having an affair. We don’t know what’s going on in the marriage. It’s her body! She can do what she wants with it! Maybe they are really in love and want to be together? It was their choice. Let’s just accept it because it’s their lives. Don’t judge.

So…. where did we get this spin on Christianity? It’s not cool to talk about sin. Christianity then becomes a “restrictive religion.” Basically, it impedes on people doing what they want with no thought of repercussions. Well, if you’re truly saved (Christian), then you don’t accept everything. That doesn’t mean you run around with picket signs thumping your Bible. It takes a wise man to win a soul for Christ. It does mean you life your life in a Christ like manner.

Speaking of which, people HATED Jesus! So, all of the ridicule from others should be expected. That’s what they did to Jesus. Yet, he stood for what’s right in the face of adversity and came out of it a conqueror.

That’s what we are to do.

It takes boldness to be a Christian.