Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We live in a tumultuous time, where many things are spiraling out of control. Recently, several events have shaken us to the core, and many of us are struggling to know how to respond as Christians. In the midst of these chaotic times, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and wonder where God is in all of this.
Yet, it is precisely during these times of trial and tribulation that our faith is tested, and our true character is revealed. In the book of Acts, we read about a man named Stephen, who was “full of grace and power” and was falsely accused of blasphemy. Despite the lies and half-truths that were thrown at him, Stephen stood before the religious leaders of his day and preached boldly about the One True God.
In Acts 6: 10, we read about how Stephen’s face “was like that of an angel.” This was no ordinary man; he had the full power of the Holy Spirit within him, and his every word was seasoned with the wisdom of God. Yet, even with all of this, he remained humble and steadfast in his faith, knowing that the power to persevere came not from him but from God alone.
As we read about Stephen’s trial, we must ask ourselves: when has the time been where we can say everything we want and go unchecked by God? Are we so consumed by the culture wars that we have allowed worldly foolishness to be the norm in our churches?
Paul, a chosen vessel, a man who could say “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15: 10), wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” So, today, I am calling us all to stand up and be bold for Christ, unashamed of the gospel of our blessed Savior.
But what does it really mean to be unashamed of the gospel? It means to wear our faith proudly on our sleeves, not just on Sundays but every day of our lives. It means being willing to speak the truth in love, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. It means being willing to extend grace and forgiveness to those who have wronged us, just as Christ has forgiven us.
Let me share with you a story about a Catholic priest who kept going to the man who murdered his mother. He would sit across from the man in prison and stare at the back of his head for hours. One day, the prisoner finally asked him, “Why do you keep coming back here? Why do you even look at me?” The priest replied, “Because Jesus loves me as much as he loves you.” The murderer finally came to faith in Christ and is now serving as a prison chaplain.
Friends, that’s the kind of perseverance we need in these difficult times. We must keep going back to Jesus, over and over again, asking for His grace and mercy. We must be willing to look people in the eye, even those who have rejected and despised Christ, and show them that there is hope and redemption in Jesus alone.
As we face the challenges of our day, we must also be prepared for the possibility of increased persecution. Jesus never promised us an easy life in this world; in fact, He told us that following Him would often lead to opposition and even martyrdom. But He also promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us, “I will be with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
This truth should give us the courage to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our ultimate allegiance is not to this world or its powers but to the King of Kings. We must be willing to count the cost of discipleship and decide whether we are truly ready to follow Christ, no matter the cost.
As we stand firm in our faith, we must also remember the importance of unity within the body of Christ. In a world that is trying to divide us along political, racial, and socioeconomic lines, we must strive to maintain the bond of peace that unites us as believers. Our shared faith in Christ should transcend any earthly differences, allowing us to stand together as a powerful witness to a watching world.
We must also be careful not to fall into the trap of self-righteousness or judgmentalism. While we are called to stand firm in our convictions, we must do so with humility and grace, recognizing that we too are sinners saved by grace. Our goal should always be to point others to Christ, not to win arguments or prove ourselves right.
In conclusion, as we face the challenges of our time, let us draw strength and courage from the examples set before us in Scripture and throughout church history. Let us be unashamed of the gospel, standing firm in our faith while extending love and grace to those around us. May we be known not for our condemnation of others but for our unwavering commitment to Christ and our love for all people.
As we go forth, let us echo the words of the apostle Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This is the essence of what it means to be a true follower of Christ – fully surrendered, unashamed, and ready to stand firm in the face of whatever challenges may come our way.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 