A good start to a good day. I’m glad we had some time together this morning – it just makes everything go so much better! Thank You, Father, for Your love and camaraderie.
Mark 6:16-29 (<<click to read the passage)
In this passage, John the Baptist took a stand for what was right, even though it eventually cost him his life. Sometimes there are things which are so well put that it is a waste of time to try to put them in your own words. A paragraph in my study Bible* does just that.
“Christians today face a world of moral compromise. Secular power sets standards that correspond to majority vote; Christian standards, however, begin and end with God’s Word. To be faithful to God’s Word, we must stand up against what is morally wrong. Responsible Christians must choose their battles. Start with prayers for wisdom, then prayers for courage. Once your battle is chosen speak and act as a faithful follower of the living God. Witness with strength; move mountains by faith; overcome in love. Show the compromised world a little of John’s stubbornness, fortitude, and faith.”
Wow! Our world is surely replete with moral compromise and honestly, it is easy to just sit back and do nothing. Oh, we may complain to those around us but we don’t really do anything! We are so fearful of rocking the boat. We are paralyzed by our hesitancy to speak out, not wanting to alienate those around us.
When it comes right down to it there are many things that are straight out black and white – backed by God’s Word. And on those things, we must stand firm. There are also many things that are grey more than anything and we must carefully show discernment.
Lord Jesus, that sentence – Witness with strength; move mountains by faith; overcome in love – should be lived out each day in our lives. With You by our sides we can do just that, but only in Your love, Your wisdom and Your strength! Amen!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Mar 27th, 2019, Wed, 10:12 am
