Taking a Stand

This may sound like an easy statement. Well, easy to say and teach, but is it that easy to do? When you are around friends or family it is difficult because you love them, and you don’t want to lose their friendship and love.

Think of this scenario. You are in a group of teens, Christian teens, and you all are chatting together, and everything is good until someone does or says something that you know is wrong. No one seems to care much, except you. You know it’s wrong, and you know it would be wrong of you to keep silent, but you don’t know what to do. You are in a room, filled with friends, and you know what you have to do. You have to stand up for what is right, even though you are alone in the endeavor. What do you do?

Those situations are difficult. If you have ever been in one, you know what I’m talking about. One thing that I have discovered is that when you stand up for what is right, stand up for what you believe in, there are no regrets. But when you don’t stand up, and you keep silent, that moment passes, and later you wonder why you didn’t do it. Regrets.

When you stand up for what is right, multiple things happen, 1. you might be scared. You very well might be afraid to take a stand. But God is in control, and He is there to help you, with Him, you have no reason to be afraid. 2. you might lose friends. This is a possibility, but if they are true friends, Christian friends, then they won’t leave you. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and they love you. 3. you might not be alone, after you start, one of your friends might find the courage they lacked, and stand up with you! Or, they might stand up before you, and thus supply you with the courage you lacked. That is one reason strong Christian friends is a blessing, to help you, and for you to help them. Thus, the body is edified. 4. you will not have regrets. If what you say is God-glorifying, and makes sense, and comes out with a great love for God and the person (or people) you are talking to, then you will have nothing to regret – because you did what was right.

How about if you don’t take a stand? What happens then? Well first, you may feel out of place and alone, even if you don’t take a stand, you may be afraid; afraid that later someone will find out that you disagreed with them, and be mad at you. 2. you might lose friends. Just like if you take a stand, you may lose friends. As I said before, they might find out later that you disagreed, some people take that personally and/or they just need a reason to stop being friends with you. Besides, you may like them, but if they are not believers, then they will most likely impact you in bad ways. 3. you will have regrets. Later you will chide yourself for not taking a stand, but there will be nothing you can do about it, no matter what you do you cannot relive that moment.

That may sound pessimistic, but it is true. When you don’t take a stand, there are consequences – when you do take a stand there are consequences. But compared to the former, the latter seems better, especially in light of what God wants us to do.

And through difficult situations like that, we must remember that:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me!” – Philippians 4:13 and, “All things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Through Christ, we need not be afraid of anything. Through Christ, we can do anything – even take a stand for Him.

Lord, give us the courage to stand up for you, whatever the situation, even if we are risking persecution because of it.

May we love our Savior so much that we are willing to do anything for Him!

Taken from issue 7 of Go Ye Therefore, by Morgan.