Standing Firm

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” - 1^st Corinthians 16:13

There are a lot of bad things happening in our world right now.  Wars are breaking out all over the globe, while other countries, like Russia, are threatening war.  There is a lot of political unrest across the globe accompanied by rioting.  Senseless murders, like the Ukrainian refugee who had her throat slashed by a mentally ill man on a subway in Charlotte, NC. Or Charlie Kirk, who was one of the few political pundits out there that would welcome open debate, without personally attacking those with differing viewpoints. There are a lot of really sick people roaming the streets, homeless, filled with anger and hate, stealing, vandalizing, and murdering innocent people.  With all this going on, you can look around and ask yourself, what kind of men does this world need right now? And honestly, it’s not more “nice guys,” more “successful men,” or more “influencers.”

It’s more godly men.

Men who will stand up for truth even when it’s unpopular. Men who live a life that honors God, not just on Sundays, but in the way they lead their families, they perform their jobs and the way they put God first in every area of their lives. Men who see compromise for what it really is and instead choose conviction. True disciples of Jesus.

I really liked Charlie Kirk. He was one of the few political commentators I could listen to.  He always gave the opposing view equal time to share, and would show empathy and compassion towards them, even if they were spewing hateful things at him. He wasn't perfect, none of us are. But he was willing to stand in the fire and to speak out when the world says, “stay quiet.” He was  devout, born-again Christian, and he built his life on God’s Word, on courage, and on standing on the truth when culture tried to “cancel” him.

But that’s what Godly men do.  They don’t try to blend into the world.  They don’t bow to the world. They stand tall, anchored in truth.  It’s been encouraging to see the effect his assassination has had on my country.  Instead of shrinking back in fear, millions of people have become emboldened, trying to fill the void Charlie’s death has left.  They are standing up for the truth and are not cowering in fear, because they are standing on God’s word to lead them, to protect them, and to inspire them to do the right things, speak the truth in love, and share the love of Jesus to those that even hate them – like Charlie did. 

Charlie had some great examples to follow.  I think of Stephen, who asked God to forgive those that were stoning him.  I think of Paul, who devoted his life to the propagation of the gospel, and did not let anyone or anything pressure him from speaking the truth – not mobs, not religious leaders, not even Ceasar.  And, of course, the greatest example to Charlie and to us is our Lord Jesus.  He is the epitome of what it means to be a man of God.  He is the perfect example to follow.  We can look to Jesus to see what it truly means to be a man of God, filled with faith, courage, and determination.  Hebrews 12:2 encourages us,  “Let us fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We should not be following any man; we should be following Jesus.   Even Paul – who wrote about 30% of the New Testament, told the Corinthian believers to “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  (1^st Corinthians 11:1)  We are to only follow Paul when he is following Jesus which, in effect means, we’re following Jesus! 

Our world is desperate for those kind of men. And God is calling us to be those men for our families, for our churches, and for the next generation watching us.