WHO CAN TAKE A STAND?
When The Church Strays From Truth?
Who will people listen to? Can anyone in the church take a stand? Who will people listen to? Who will have a voice when a world that denies the truth slips into our churches?
What kind of person is able to stand against such quarrelling and debate, as found in 2 Timothy 2?
“19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Tim. 2:19-21)
Other translations read, “21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable…” (ESV) or “21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things…” (NASB)
It Starts With Us
As is the case with every Biblical principle, it starts with us.
Before we can have a voice to take a stand, we need to come back to the cross, back to the Gospel. Before we speak, we had better make sure that our heart is in the right place and that our relationship with Christ is on the mark.
We need to remember who we are as Followers of Jesus:
- We have made a confession.
- We have turned away from a life of sin.
- We have been spiritually cleansed and purified like precious metals.
This is our starting point. This is our focus before we take any kind of stand. This is a position of humble strength, ready to take a stand.
Then We’re Ready
Then we’re internal ready to take our stand. We’re spiritual ready. We’re in…
- …a position of holiness,
- …a position of usefulness,
- …and prepared to do any good work.
Too often, when there’s a problem in the church, we want to go in guns blazing without any preparation.
We Should Take a Stand
When we see an injustice, when we see the church being broken down or worse; Biblical truth is being altered or removed. We should take a stand. But we had better make sure that our hearts and minds are set on Jesus first.
Before we start drawing up our words of correction, we had better focus on the resurrection. If we start with Gospel-focus, anyone of us can take a stand.
