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Can You Stand Alone |
Dear Brethren,
The Bible is filled with examples of those who had to
courageously stand alone for God's Truth in the
onslaught of the enemy. We have been called to be kings and priests in the
Kingdom of God. We need to believe God's way of life in order to be
able to stand for it. Are we mature enough Christians to be able to
live and stand for our faith? As kings and priests to our God we will
serve with Jesus Christ in standing for God's Way. "And hast made
us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the
earth." (Revelation 5:10)
We are given this lifetime to firmly establish our
character in God. Through trials, experiences, and the help of God's
Holy Spirit, we are able to come to the point of believing that God's way is
the only way. We will no longer be swayed by every wind of
doctrine. We will not succumb to spurious reasonings that divide men and
brethren. The Church of God was able to be scattered, and will yet be
shattered, because we have not yet reached the state of maturity that we
must. We are divided as a people because we have not learned to rightly
divide the word of Truth. "Study to show thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will
increase unto more ungodliness." (2Timothy 2:15-16)
It is critical for us to learn to sift through the philosophies and actions
of those who do not understand the simplicity of Christ, so that we can become
more spiritually grounded. God wants us to stand for His priorities
even if we have to stand alone. We are not to stumble at every
wind of "new" doctrine that makes the rounds. We know that the
place to learn about true Christianity is in God's Word.
Individually, we have been given the example of those in Berea.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)
Every proven doctrine of Christ is coming under attack. Many of
our friends have left our fellowship over one point of doctrine or
another. Some became quite adamant and separated themselves from other
brethren, believing that they had special knowledge imparted by God. The
apostle, John, concluded that those who left the fellowship of the saints, in
that way, had not really been a part of the Body of Christ. "They went
out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no
doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be
made manifest that they were not all of us." (1John 2:19)
Jesus Christ set us an example of being willing to
go-it-alone. "This was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might
be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled." (Matthew
26:56) The simplicity and humility of Jesus is not attractive to this
world. Mankind, without the Spirit of God, cannot recognize a humble
teacher - as Jesus was. Our human nature suggests that bigger and bolder
are best. We naturally, but wrongly, seek to associate with the
powerful and influential. "Our faith should not stand
in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1Corinthians 2:5) It requires Godly faith on our part to believe that God is
actually directing our steps when we earnestly seek His way. From his
throne, God truly blesses us when our ways please Him.
"Promotion cometh neither from
the east, nor from the west, nor from the south." (Psalms 75:6)
Do we have the maturity to step out in faith and stand alone when
necessary? Are we able to stand alone when attacks come
against the Truth? Christ wants to know if we will always represent His
truth in the face of adversity. There is no safety in numbers - our only
security is in Christ. Many people are still laboring under the notion
that there will always be someone available to make the important spiritual
decisions for them.
Spiritual maturity is standing on our own two feet before God - and giving
an answer for ourselves. If we are unable to take a stand for God at
this present time - we will not stand accepted before Him at that
day. "Watch you therefore, and pray always,
that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to
pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36) In any case, we will stand alone before
God to answer for our present actions. "We shall all
stand [alone] before the
judgment seat of Christ. So then every one of us shall give
account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10,12)
God has called each one of us individually to be a part of His
Church. We are not able to relinquish our free moral agency to another
person. Too many people accept an outside dominion over their lives
without hesitation and without question, and so are not able to make wise
decisions on their own when heresy enters the Church. We have been warned
about putting our trust in men. "Blessed is that man that makes the
Lord his trust, and respects not the
proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." (Psalms 40:4)
Christian maturity demands that we must develop the character to stand
for God's priorities and not yield to anything else. Each
Christian must have dominion over his or her own faith. With a well
informed conscience, we are responsible to God directly. "Not for
that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith
ye stand." (2Corinthians 1:24) "Work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both
to will and to do of his good
pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13)
The mature Christian will also be able to identify lions and wolves.
We should not be surprised when Satan or his demons take a swipe at
us. The mature Christian will also recognize God's true elect wherever
they are. As mature Christians, we will understand the impact and the
implications of statements such as "to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of
a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word," and "you
know you have passed from death unto life if you love the brethren."
(Isaiah 66:2, 1John 3:14)
When all is said and done, God is with us -
so, we are not standing alone. Jesus said, "Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that
you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet
I am not alone, because the Father is with me."
(John 16:32) Jesus has assured us, "I will never leave you
or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
"Watch you, stand firm in the faith, live like men, be
strong! Let everything you do be done in Godly love."
(1Corinthians 16:13-14)
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| Sermon: |
"Can You Stand Alone"
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