I'd like to conclude this series by taking a look at how Islam takes a stand, and then share some concluding thoughts and a prayer at the end.
What I'm about to share are just a few of my own experiences and observations and is not based on any specific Islamic teaching.
In the area that I grew up in, we had some neighbours that were Muslim, and I recall times while we would be playing outside that some of the Muslim parents would call their kids to come inside because it was time to pray. I also remember some of these kids going to Islamic studies after school. During times of fasting they would always share with neighbours. I would see them help feed the poor, etc.
All of these are examples of how they personally take a stand in what they believe.
... But I recall a moment, I think specifically at some point during my teenage years, where I thought to myself - and this as someone who had no interest in religion at the time - that they really must believe in what they do, look at how disciplined and devoted they are, there must be something to this, and I grew to respect them for this.
Now importantly, notice the outcome that transpired here, here I was, as an unbeliever having no real thought or interest of following a religion, but because of the actions of a few people in how they followed their beliefs, it made me take notice of their religion and respect them for it. In other words, because they stood for something ("took a stand"), it made me as an unbeliever take notice.
Now not only do they take a stand in their personal capacity, they also do so corporately ... again, based on my own experiences and observations, I could see how when it was time for Mosque on a Friday afternoon, all the men would go. When it was times of fasting, they would all fast. When it comes to supporting other Muslim's (like the free Palestine example), I would see stickers on cars, flags at houses, WhatsApp profile pics all displaying this image. Even saw them recently at the Waterfront in Cape Town with a microphone and speakers.
Unfortunately, I've also heard of another example where prayer was voted out of a Christian school because some Muslim students had joined the school and the parents started a petition to have prayer removed ... I actually sat in a church service one time where a prophet mentioned that one of the main agenda's of Islam is to overpopulate, presumably then to seek to employ and promote their own, move into prominent positions, have the majority votes and seek to implement Shariah Law - where the implementation of strict shariah law can lead to direct persecution of Christians (please see: https://www.opendoorsus.org/stories/10-most-dangerous-places-christian) ... but again, all of these talk to the concept of coming together in unity, and standing together for something.
Now as I look at this example of a people following a belief both personally and corporately, I have to look inwardly and ask the question, do I take a similar stand regarding my beliefs and convictions as a Christian?
🔴In Part 1 I mentioned 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.
🔴In Part 2 I mentioned 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. I also mentioned 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. To take a stand 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.
Now whilst the above holds true for us as individuals, in terms of how we practically apply this in our own personal capacity, it also becomes something that's evident for others to see when they look at us.
From the below scriptures, we can see very clearly that we will be known and recognized by our fruits:
Matthew 7:16-20
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 12:33
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
This also means that when people look at us as Christians, they'll be able to tell how well we demonstrate our allegiance to God and what fruit, or lack thereof, comes from it. Jesus also emphasizes this point in the below passage:
John 15:5-8
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Here He says that it's when we abide and remain in Him, that we produce much fruit and show ourselves to be His disciples, and that this brings glory to God.
The point I'd like to make here is this: When we make a decision to take a stand regarding our allegiance to Christ, we will - through abiding and remaining in Him - produce much fruit (obedience to His word). This fruit will not only bring glory to God - it will also be known and recognized by others.
Therefore, just as I mentioned earlier above, my experience of what I saw in other Muslim's - again, as someone who had no interest in religion at the time - made me think to myself that there must be something to this when I looked at how devoted they were, etc. and how because of their actions ("fruit") it made me take notice of their religion and respect them for it ... in the same manner, and more so, shouldn't my fruit, demonstrated as a believer in Christ, also be evident / visible for others to see and cause them to take notice? ...
This is why I posed the question earlier, do I take a similar stand regarding my beliefs and convictions as a Christian? ... because before we can start discussing how Christians can take a stand corporately (for example, by having various ministries and churches working together) we first need to look at ourselves in the mirror and address whether or not we're actually taking a stand in our own lives/personal capacity.
There are many people who call themselves Christian, some do so by default, they assume that because they weren't born into another religion that by default it means that they're Christian.
Others call themselves Christian because their parents went to church, so even though they themselves may have no acknowledgement of having a relationship with God.
Others call themselves Christian because they attend a church and have received Christ as their Savior, unfortunately some of these only want to know and experience Him as their Saviour, healer, comforter and provider, but not as Lord of their lives ... They want the benefits that come from having a relationship with Him but don't want the accountability and responsibility that goes along with it.
To stand for God means to be obedient to His word. It means being available to the Holy Spirit for what He wants and desires, for His agenda, will and purpose. It's the acknowledgement that as much as we enjoy Jesus Christ the Saviour, we also need to follow Him faithfully and diligently as Lord of our lives as well. There needs to be a balance.
The reason why this matters so much is because we will be known and recognized by our fruit. The fruit that we accept, compromise, normalize and demonstrate to others, is the fruit that we are likely to reproduce in them as well. Meaning that if Christians model their allegiance towards God as one that's more focused on their own personal preference, comfort, convenience, wants and desires - over seeking obedience to the word and will of God as first priority, then we produce a Christianity that's more about convenience and comfort rather than commitment, one that avoids the reality of sacrifice, discipline, surrender, perseverance and obedience that comes along with taking a stand for God.
... Now this can be viewed as a positive as well because we can also produce the right outcomes/fruits ... but it starts with you and I my friend.
I shared some self-reflecting questions in Part 1 of this series that I'd like to share again below, and I've added some others to them as well, that I'd like us all to give some thought to:
🔵What are my beliefs?
🔵Do I have any non-negotiables (these are certain things that I'm not prepared to tolerate)?
🔵What standards have I set for myself and my family?
🔵Come the end of my life, how will I define what success looks like for me?
🔵If someone was to ask me what I stood for, would Christ be one of those answers?
🔵If God expects me to take a stand, have I made that stand?
🔵Is it clear for others to see?
🔵Does my life demonstrate the fruit of someone that claims to stand for Christ?
🔵Am I satisfied that my claim to stand for Christ matches up with my level of commitment towards Him (not just in words but in deed - do I back up what I say by my actions)
🔵Have I been firm, bold and diligent regarding that stand?
This is not about being perfect because we never will be. This is about reflecting on something, that can hopefully trigger a response or reaction, that at the very least causes us to come before God in all transparency, and openly share with Him where we find ourselves regarding our allegiance towards Him.
As such, I'd encourage you to pray along with me.
"Heavenly Father, I thank you for this word of encouragement. I thank you for being a God who is faithful, a God who cares, a God who is there for me. A God in whom I find my peace, my rest, my joy, my hope and my strength. Thank you Heavenly Father for the privilege of being able to know you and for being in my life. I love and appreciate all that you are and all that you do for me. Not a day goes by when I'm not grateful for your goodness in my life. Father, it is my desire to live a life that is pleasing unto you and that brings you glory. A life that says "Thank you"- A life that can demonstrate my appreciation for all that you mean to me, both by my words and my actions ... I repent for the times where I may have taken your grace and mercy for granted, when I maybe abused the fact that I could just come afterwards and seek your forgiveness. I repent for taking my relationship with you for granted, for not always putting you first or not making my relationship with you a priority... Forgive me for this Father ... I ask that you would help me to produce the fruit that you desire to see in my life. Help me to produce much fruit. Help me to be effective. Help me to stand firm in my trust, commitment, dedication and faithfulness towards you ... My prayer is that your desires become my desires, that your will become my will. Take my life Father and do with it as you will. Use it for your glory. Help me to run and finish my race well, and draw others to know you and see them run the race that you've called them to, so that we will all one day hear you say to us, 'well done good and faithful servant" ... This is what I want ... This is what I stand for ... and I thank you now for helping me with this. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen"
🔴 I started this series in February and made the following statement: "As we embark on the year ahead I believe there's an expectation from God for the church to take a stand ... to stand for truth ... and to know what they stand for." and I trust that after this series that you have decided to Take Your Stand!
Amen