This will be a series on “Christian Witness in Post-2020 World.”
Today we shall see one obligations Christians have as we live in an increasingly hostile world to Christian faith is to pursue faithfulness to the Gospel: Yet what does that entail? Be courageous.
Point: We must be courageous
Proof
- Most people today are afraid
- This is not just a concern only if you are Christian Conservative, far right, etc.
- According to the Cato Institute, with the exception of Liberals everyone is afraid: “Strong liberals stand out, however, as the only political group who feel they can express themselves. Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) of staunch liberals feel they can say what they believe. However, centrist liberals feel differently. A slim majority (52%) of liberals feel they have to self‐censor, as do 64% of moderates, and 77% of conservatives.”[1]
- According to the Cato Institute, with the exception of Liberals everyone is afraid: “Although strong liberals are the only group who feel they can say what they believe, the share who feel pressured to self‐censor rose 12 points from 30% in 2017 to 42% in 2020. The share of moderates who self‐censor increased 7 points from 57% to 64%, and the share of conservatives rose 70% to 77%, also a 7‐point increase. Strong conservatives are the only group with little change. They are about as likely now (77%) to say they hold back their views as in 2017 (76%).”[2]
- Also: “50% of strong liberals support firing Trump donors`”[3]
- Added to this is the increasing headlines of people having social media censor, suspend and block people’s account for opinions express that’s not politically correct, we are definitely in an interesting age.
- Yet despite fear strive to be courageous.
- Brave is having no fear.
- Yet you might say you have fear you can’t deny; so instead pursue courage!
- What is courage? Courage is doing the right thing even if you have fear.
- Reason 1: Be courageous because of God’s presence: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:10)
- God is the one who is speaking.
- God speaks to believers and said “Do not fear”
- The reason is given: “for I am with you”
- Second line explains what God’s presence means: “for I am your God.”
- Practically what God’s presence means:
- “I will strengthen you”
- “I will also help you”
- “I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand”
- If you know sharing the Gospel is His will for us to do, and you know His presence is with you, that will give you courage.
- Reason 2: Be courageous because of God’s help: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13, 2 Timothy 1:7)
- Here God says He will help.
- How amazing that we should serve God, yet God turns around and helps us!
- God even describe it with loving terms: “who takes hold of your right hand,”
- Reason 3: Be courageous because of the Spirit God has given us: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Practice
- Recall the statistics I gave: Knowing other fear also helps encourage us we are not alone.
- Meditate and memorize the verses given above. Let it be that they motivate you to be courageous.
- Pray for courage!
- Use the internet to see videos of courageous evangelists! Let their example stir you!
- Read stories about the persecuted church. Again let their example stir you!
- Pray and evangelize with others who are courageous for the Lord.
- Think about eternity: Being courageous doesn’t mean you won’t be persecuted nor you won’t be hurt up to even losing your life; yet count your cost and consider the cause of Christ is worth it! Why is it worth it? Christ came to die for sinners, and those who trust in Him will not go to hell but to heaven. Think about this and how this is for you and also for your hearers.
[1] https://www.cato.org/publications/survey-reports/poll-62-americans-say-they-have-political-views-theyre-afraid-share#liberals-are-divided-political-expression.
[2] https://www.cato.org/publications/survey-reports/poll-62-americans-say-they-have-political-views-theyre-afraid-share#liberals-are-divided-political-expression.
[3] https://www.cato.org/blog/poll-62-americans-say-they-have-political-views-theyre-afraid-share
Amen! Courage is the key. I’m concerned we aren’t “post” anything but we will continue to see an assault on the moral Kingdom of Jesus.
Jesus is with us and gives us the power be bold, courageous and confident.
Thanks for the great insight.
Thanks for the good exhortation! A Christian should not be marked by fear but by faith. Our fear will rise or fall in proportion to how much we focus on circumstances and/or put our faith in temporal, worldly institutions.
Wow so true: “ Our fear will rise or fall in proportion to how much we focus on circumstances and/or put our faith in temporal, worldly institutions.” These are times that seems to be pruning believers to focus on Christ and not on other things as greater than God. How is your shift going today? I bet you had over 10 K yesterday
Thanks!
Currently on a break. Not so many steps yesterday or today – around 7K – because I’m training with a guy who walks less. That was waaaay too much walking last week. How are your steps doing?
My prayer is that Gods light is about to shine so bright no one can wonder any longer.
Amen. That is a good prayer. For the sake of people coming to Christ and their eternity is secure in Christ through faith in the Gospel. I just prayed too that non believers will see the truth from the Word and even now seeing how Christians point towards Christ. How are you doing Beverly?
Holding my breath while waiting to see how our Lord works all of this mess out. His will be done.
[…] Christian Witness in Post-2020 World Part 1 […]
Very Good Lesson.
Thank you for reading this. I pray it encourages believers to share the Gospel in these times with a boldness and humility and love that can only come from Christ! How is your weekend so far?
Very good, thank you. 63 degrees here and sunny.:)
Courage needed in these interesting times
Yes, If He takes us to it, He will take us through it. Thank you for the comment, Personal-Peace3094.
You are right about it, Jim, American Christians and Christians all over the world should be courageous because GOD is always there in our midst to help according to His sovereign will, plan, and purpose, and He has given us the spirit with an emphasis of love (your enemies) and discipline. I agree, we all should think of the prize i.e. eternity worshipping with GOD and not our fears. We are all “a work in progress” and we must strive not to be bothered by what lies ahead i.e. the fear of the unknown. Instead, we trust and surrender to JESUS CHRIST’s Lordship of our lives and the Savior of our souls. “Fear not little flock.” Blessings to you, Nancy, and your kids!
Those statistics of who are afraid is astounding. More telling is how only the far Left is the only that is not afraid to air their opinion unvarnished and not self-censored. And then they go around and still call themselves oppressed and as victims…
I absolutely agree with you 100% that reading books about Christians who have been persecuted and books on the persecuted church at large will help us to have and grow in courage. Not to sound like a wacko but it is books like that I am concerned are going to become harder to find/censored, especially as more churches go underground. I am SO thankful that God has given me someone like Nathan who definitely has courage to stand for Truth in all areas of life (not to sound arrogant). I appreciate this series and lesson. God is giving us plenty of opportunities to display courage, praying that we will do so for His glory. Praying for youth time and for you, Nancy and kiddos!
Thank you for your prayers for youth group which is coming up 55 minutes from now. Going to go over a series with the kids every other week on biblical view of friendship so we are hitting Proverbs topically. That will be every other week when we are not reading JC Ryle in place of the testimonies which appreciate you shared Mandy. Then afterwards we are going to do a series covering the hard topic of all the left leaning agenda we will look at biblically so I’m already praying for that. In that vein I’m glad for men like your husband who is courageous to stand for truth. We need more men and women like you and your husband. Our blog this week has a surge of hits and downloads of apologetics resources since someone on Fb posted a link and said download it while you can before the digital oppression prohibits Christian resources to be shared and that set a chain reaction. I share that because you are right resources like books of Christian undergoing persecution is going to be censored. The last week has gotten so ridiculous. May the Lord bless your posts on God’s truth and prayers, during these dark days and days ahead…have you h yes rd of Live Not by Lies, a new book by Rod Dreher? It sounds timely and I haven’t gotten it yet but wondering if you heard of it about which is a manual for Christian dissidents for persecuted Christians
If there’s anything I can do to help with a friendship lesson please know I am willing! There is so much occurring in our current culture that kids need help discerning Truth from error, praying for this endeavor! Dreher’s book will be here on Monday. We read a lot of Solzhenitsyn in my ministry class called leaders life and work. Every believer should read his works while there is still time!
Encouraging words in today’s times…1Peter 3 rises in my heart…being courageous in Christ has His Word and ways as the foundation… may the Lord strengthen every true believer to witness and walk as He has commanded for the glory of His Great Name.
“8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”
Interesting that you used the CATO institute in this post for statistics and stuff.
I saw various mainstream and conservative sources mentioned it; CATO institute is more Libertarian but Left and right have referenced it for things like police data, political climate, etc. Have you heard of it or read things printed by the CATO institute yourself brother?
Yes. I have read many articles from the CATO Institute. I agree with some of their views. Such as not starting new wars. And getting out of Afghanistan
Great and timely lesson. Agree with you totally . Courage is something we are going to need in the days ahead. Courage to share the gospel as you said, courage to stand up for Jesus , courage to speak the truth.
Thank you for this great encouragement to press on sharing the gospel.
Have a blessed and joyful Lord’s Day.
Scary to see all sort of people are now scared
Wonderful supportive scriptures!
I needed this for my soul. I hope this moves believers to pray in this interesting year
Thanks for your post
[…] 6.) Christian Witness in Post-2020 World Part 1 […]
I agree courage is needed niw more than ever
I heard a quote that I have never confirmed that a medal of honor recipient once said that a hero was a guy that was so scared that he ran in the wrong direction. So, to be afraid to speak out about Jesus, but do it anyway may be along the same lines.
Ever since I have openly declared myself a born again christian, my friends now despise me but that never bothers me because I believe that He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world.
Great blog. Thank you
Today is my birthday and my heart is full of nothing but gratitude. I pray that the Lord will grant me more special days like this to praise His name. Your birthday only comes once a year, it should be as special as you are. ” You know how most people dread a birthday… Well, I feel the exact same opposite. I feel that every day is an extraordinary gift. Just to be here, and especially to be here with you. ”
” Do not forget what it is being a sailor when you become a captain. ” ” You must be a sailor before you become a captain. ” A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. There can only be one captain to a ship. You are the captain of your own ship; don’t let anyone else take the wheel. I am the captain of my ship and the master of my fate. ” The captain of a ship is not chosen from those of the passengers who come from the best family. ”
” A Ship needs a captain. The crew is important but the captain steers everything. You need to have a clear vision to lead. ” Being a leader is like being captain of a ship. If you are the captain of the ship, you don’t have to do the hard work that the crew is doing but you must be able to chart out a successful path. You must be able to see everything that is there right now & you must be able to foresee that which cannot be seen right now.
A wise man once said, ” be careful who you let on your ship, because some people will sink the ship just because they can’t be the captain. ” Ships don’t sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down. Make sure everybody in your ” boat ” is rowing and not drilling holes when you’re not looking. Know your circle.
When a ship runs into trouble, all eyes turn to the captain. Others may have made mistakes but it’s the captain who must take responsibility for everything, for steering ship out of trouble. You aren’t captain of your life if you aren’t taking 100% responsibility for your life. A ” ship ” is designed to take you places. So if your companionSHIP, friendSHIP, partnerSHIP, or relationSHIP isn’t taking you anywhere, then it’s best to ABANDON SHIP!! You deserve nothing but the best and your worth is priceless.