Being an Uncompromising Warrior for Christ!

Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have down everything, to stand. (NIV)

          The days are quickly approaching and may even be here where all who profess the name of Jesus must take a stand for what they believe. The world has become so wicked that wrong is the new Right and right is the new Wrong—even within the body of Christ. People have become settled and complacent with the evils that are taking place in the world. To see ungodly acts being passed in legislation, transpiring in the media, and even within the church no longer raises eyebrows, but are ignored just to keep the peace.  To make a stand against the things that are not of God will have one labeled as a Pharisee, bigot, and as “judging.” Even amongst Christians, a person who dares to defy the popular, misguided compromise and deception of some teachings will be isolated, black-balled, and rebuked for the sake of righteousness. To stand for truth is not only unpopular, but it can lead one down a road of loneliness. 

          Despite not winning the “Popularity Metal” when it comes to standing for the things of God, never think that God leaves you to stand alone. He will always guide you and even send people your way to go alongside you to keep you encouraged. The apostle Paul had to face this issue when he was once a persecutor of Christians. I am sure that it wasn’t easy leaving behind the people who he had been in league with. However, Paul knew that it was more important for him to follow Christ than to follow what was popular. Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. (NIV) Paul was set apart; therefore, he could not fit in to the status quo. This meant that he could not follow tradition. He had to come out of what was considered as normal and take a stand for what was right. The Romans during that time did not like the Christians and they persecuted those who followed and preached the teachings of Christ. However, the apostles kept preaching even at the expense of their own lives. They knew that nothing could keep them from God’s love and teaching that love to others. Romans 8:36-39 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

          Let’s start by first understanding the meaning of living for Christ. Many people have the misconception that living a life for Christ means one of boredom, sadness, and mediocre living. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)  God wants us to fully enjoy the life that He has given us with all the beauty that it has to offer. Sin and death was never part of God’s original design for man. However, due to the fall of Adam, we are now in a world where hardships and pain are a part of life. Despite the obstacles that life has to offer, God still wants what’s best for His children. He desires for us to live a life that represents Him. In that life, we are to laugh: smile, work, play, build wholesome relationships, and honor Him by enjoying the life that He has given us. Even when the Children of Israel were to be punished because of their idolatrous living, by being taken in captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, God still wanted them to build houses, marry, have children and continue to thrive as a nation. He did not desire for their destruction or He could have easily done so. God wanted His children to never forget about Him as their Sole Provider, so that He could bless them abundantly and have a relationship with them. It was the Children of Israel who turned their backs to Him and not the other way around. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV) 

In living for Christ, we are to live a life of righteousness. Titus 2:12 It (Salvation) teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (NIV) We are to follow the example that Jesus did while on earth. 1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (NIV) We are to pray to our Heavenly Father and have frequent communication with Him. Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (NIV) We are to treat each other right and pray even for our enemies. 1 John 4:20-21 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, who they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother. (NIV) We are to witness to others and tell them about the goodness of God. Isaiah 63:7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. (NIV)

          Living for Christ does not have to be boring. However, we are to be leaders of the world and not followers of ungodly trends. Therefore, because we are set apart, there should be a noticeable difference in the way that we look, act, speak, and live. We cannot dress provocatively like the world and expect them to run towards the cross. We cannot act crazy like they do on these reality shows and expect to save souls. We cannot not curse someone out in one sentence and praise God in the next. We cannot sing and listen to all of the music they do when it is leading people to hell due to the satanic and sexual content most contain. We cannot live any old kind of way and think that straddling the fence to fit in will get them or us into heaven. Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (NIV) We must make a choice either for God or for man. Whatever the choice is, we cannot do both. God wants us to decide that we will stand completely for Him and not compromise our standards even if that means being ostracized. Revelation 3:15-16  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NIV)

Now what about when you face opposition? It is normal to face it from the world, but what about from within the body of Christ for standing up for what’s right? Sometimes, the church are the main ones who persecute you for what’s right. They love to quote the text about judging. However, what does it mean to judge? Does that mean that you never tell anyone what is right because you may have fallen victim to sin in the past? NO! Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (NIV) What this text means is that if you are living a sinful life yourself, you cannot point out the sins of someone else. You must first evaluate yourself and get things right between you and God, then you can lead someone else to Christ. This doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect in order to tell someone who is living in sin that they are on the wrong path. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NIV) However, do not be like the Pharisees who were giving the law and yet did not have love or compassion for others. We are to tell others the truth in order to save their souls and keep them from error; but while doing so, do it in a loving manner, so that they can be won over to Christ. 2 Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (NIV

As a warrior for Christ, we must stand up no matter what. Souls are at stake! There are a lot of souls on the highway to hell, but with every soul we witness to is another soul we can possibly keep from the enemy’s camp of eternal damnation. The devil is real! Hell is real! And unfortunately, the reality is that many are going to be lost both Christians and non-Christians. If you could save just one, wouldn’t it be worth the try? Stand up for Christ just as He stood up for us. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (NIV)