CANCELLED! ARE YOU AFRAID TO ACT LIKE A CHRISTIAN?
When you are out to dinner or lunch with friends who are not believers and your food comes do you decide not to bow your head in thanks because it makes you feel uncomfortable?
When you are at a get together and people are laughing at crude jokes that you know are offensive to God do you laugh right along with them because you want to fit in?
When you're involved in a conversation about political issues that go against God’s Word and asked what you think do you answer in such a way as to water down your beliefs so you won’t be ridiculed or ostracized?
If you answered yes to any or all of the questions, you are not alone. So many of us refuse to acknowledge or voice our Christian beliefs and values in front non-believes for fear of being, rejected, ridiculed, ostracized or cancelled.
Are we are so afraid of offending or being canceled by our peers that we end up offending God and cancelling Him in our hearts? How this must break God’s heart, the heart of Jesus, and how it must grieve the Holy Spirit.
Jesus didn’t back down from the cross. He faced ridicule, unimaginable pain and suffering and the worst kind of human condemnation for our salvation! Yet, we turn our backs on him each time we refuse to acknowledge and let His holy light shine through us, by our actions.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
If you are hanging out with people who despise what you stand for, ask yourself why? Is it to fit in? If so, what sort of group are you trying to fit in to? Is it a group that would make God smile?
James 4:4 (NIV)
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
I don’t believe God is telling us not to love those around us, believers or non-believers, but I do believe He is saying we should be very careful in the choices you make when it comes to who we associate with on a regular basis. It can be easier than you think to conform to the ways of the world.
King Solomon is a prime example of going along, to get along:
1 Kings 11:4 (NIV)
4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
As a matter of fact, by showing your friends that you stand firm in your values and beliefs you just may lead them to Jesus. They may begin to ask you questions as to why you are a Christian and what it’s all about. The light you shine on them may ultimately lead them out of dark places.
“Okay”, you might say, “I understand all that but what am I supposed to do when I have business lunches and conferences. If I act like a Christian, if I act like a Christ follower, I will lose my job!”
Yes, cancel culture is prevalent right now and you can most certainly be affected by it when you profess your Christianity and stand firm in God’s Word. Here in the western world we are being called racists, bigots, haters, homophobes, extremists, just to name a few.
The devil has been very successful in his campaign to indoctrinate hearts that are closed to God with his vicious lies.
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
John 15:18-19 (NIV)
18“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
If the world is persecuting you, it means that you belong to Christ, and this is a good thing!
Tanner Cross is an elementary gym teacher from Virginia who was suspended for speaking out at a school board meeting against a proposal requiring that transgender students be addresses by their preferred pronouns. His case made headlines and ultimately a judge ruled in Mr. Cross’ favor finding that he was exercising his right to free speech and ordered that he be reinstated until a full trial could be held.
Because Mr. Cross was willing to voice his values and belief in Jesus Christ and stand firm for God’s Word, the issue has been brought to the forefront and many others are now standing up as well!
God may use your struggle for his own purposes. Jesus tells us:
Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
1 Peter 4:16 (ESV)
"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Being a Christ follower is never going to be easy here, on planet Earth, but you are part of a much bigger picture - the Kingdom of God. You are not a citizen of this world, you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God! That is something to rejoice over!! So if you are excepting the ways of the world in fear of being cancelled, it is time to stop! Live instead boldly, and unashamed, as a citizen of God’s Kingdom."
Luke 12:32 (NIV)
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU FEEL FEARFUL OR ANGST ABOUT STANDING FIRM, ACTING ON, AND VOICING YOUR BELIEFS.
1 Build your strength and roots by Staying steeped in the Word of God everyday through prayer, scripture, literature and faith filled music and media.
2 You make choices about who you keep company with on a personal basis, where you hang out and what the activities will be.
3 In work situations, stand firm God’s Word. Refuse to do things that are against God. Even knowing that it could cost you your reputation, livelihood and position. Ultimately, you hold a much higher position in God’s Kingdom than any position you could hold here on earth.
4 Be prepared to answer questions as to why you are a Christian and what you believe. Really dive into this. You never know who you will lead to Jesus through your answers, conviction and lifestyle. People are watching!
5 Remind yourself of who you belong to and where you will be spending eternity. We are here for a short time.
glorify God not only with our Christian brothers and sisters but our in the world. Let’s acknowledge Him in everything we do.
Below I have put together scriptures for you in the form of a downloadable pdf. Pull them up on your phone or carry them in your bag or wallet for quick reference when you need some spiritual strength to conquer your fear of professing your faith, whether it be in your actions or conversations.
Until next time, may God bless you and hold you close!
Much love to you!
Joellen
