In part 1 we saw from Scripture that there's an expectation from God for us to be certain about where we stand regarding our relationship towards Him. That there should be no uncertainty or ambiguity around where we stand. That we're either with God or we're not; and that if we claim to be with Him, then there's a level of commitment in speech and action that accompany that claim. The conclusion was that it's clear that God requires us to take a stand regarding our allegiance towards Him.
If that is the case, then what does it mean to take a stand? (or how do I demonstrate my allegiance towards God)
This is where people may have different opinions on what this should look like...for some this is publicly opposing other religions, for others this may involve public protests, for others this may include signing certain petitions... For others taking a stand may be updating their WhatsApp status every morning with a Bible verse, or sharing Christian posts via social media, etc. ... Whatever it may be, people can have their own opinion and conviction on what this should look like ... However, at the root of it all - before anything else - taking a stand means to first and foremost, be obedient to the word of God... Let's see this from the below scriptures:
Mark 12:29-30 NIV
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
John 14:15 NLT
If you love me, obey my commandments.
Jesus states in the above passages that the way we show our love (allegiance/stand) towards God, is by obeying His commandments.
Let's look at some more scriptures:
Luke 8:19-21 NKJV
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Matthew 7:21-23 AMPC
Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].
Luke 6:46-49 NKJV
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 11:28 NKJV
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
John 15:9-10 NIV
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
John 8:31-32 AMPC
So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
James 1:22 NIV
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Based on the above scriptures, we can see how important obedience is to God and that the basis/foundation on which we "take a stand" has to be founded on His word and being obedient to that word...so like I mentioned above, before anything else, before whatever convictions or opinions anyone may have - when it comes to taking a stand for God, the way in which we demonstrate this is by being obedient to His word. This also means that the word of God needs to become our standard - our benchmark - when it comes to how accurately we demonstrate our allegiance towards Him. It cannot be based on our opinion, our parents' opinion, the government's opinion, what may seem popular at the time, what's trending, whatever "my truth" may be, whatever "truth" is convenient or popular or most comfortable to follow...God expects us to be decisive about where we stand with Him! - and the manner in which we demonstrate that is by making His word and will our priority over anything or anyone else.
So what does it mean to take a stand? It means that before anything else, my agenda, my focus, my priority, my purpose is to seek to obey the word of God for myself - and not only in my life, but in my marriage, how I conduct myself in the workplace, how I raise my children, etc. - and to see His word shape and transform my life into His image and likeness.
Amen
Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing on the armour of God... There are many avenues the devil uses to oppose the truth of God's word where he seeks to influence and tempt us away from His word and offer us alternatives to try and distract us/draw us back into following his will. The Bible speaks about this in Ephesians 6:10-12 (AMP)... But notice also that it says we need to "stand" against him:
"In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]."
In the above the Bible says that we need to "stand against, stand our ground, stand firm" ... So here's another passage where it's quite clear that God expects us to take a stand, in this context however, it's taking a stand against the enemy by putting on the armour of God... So as we unpack this subject further over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some truths regarding this topic.
Until next time, continue standing for God, continue standing in His power, grace, love, empowerment and mercy, continue to take a stand by sharing your faith in Jesus Christ with others, continue inviting people to church, continue to make disciples, continue standing for the truth that He and the disciples and apostles gave their lives for ... Continue to take your stand as God so lovingly, mercifully and patiently continues to stand by, and for, you.
Amen